Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ronald
BoyScottish, Old Norse· “ruler with counsel”
- Meaning
- ruler with counsel
- Origin
- Scottish, Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- RAH-nuhld
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #638
- US babies 2025
- 438
- Best rank
- #9 (1941)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Ronald
Ronald is a Scottish and Old Norse name that means “ruler with counsel”.
Ronald is the Scottish form of the Old Norse name Rögnvaldr, made from elements meaning the counsel or power of the gods and to rule. Norse settlers brought it to Scotland and the islands, where it took the form Raghnall in Gaelic and Ronald in English. It spread widely in the English-speaking world in the twentieth century. Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States, is its most famous bearer, and Ron Weasley of the Harry Potter books gave it a friendly new image. Ronnie and Ron are the classic short forms.
Popularity over time
Ronald first appears in US Social Security records in 1883. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 142 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #9 in 1941, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 34,899 were named Ronald. In 2025, 438 babies were named Ronald, and it ranked #638 nationally. That is 38% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #168 in 1920, #12 in 1950, #58 in 1980, #203 in 2000, #343 in 2010, and #638 in 2025. Of the 1,082,247 US boys named Ronald since records began, 26% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 271,139 babies. Since 2010, 10,288 more have been named Ronald.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Larry, Charles, Jerry, Richard, and William.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ronald ranked highest in New Jersey, Idaho, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #394 | 21 |
| Idaho | #425 | 6 |
| Maryland | #431 | 12 |
| Michigan | #439 | 20 |
| Louisiana | #445 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ronald is usually pronounced RAH-nuhld, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-ld”.
Middle names for Ronald
A few middle names that flow with Ronald: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ronald
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Lists that include Ronald
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ronald mean?
Ronald is a Scottish and Old Norse name that means “ruler with counsel”.
What is the origin of the name Ronald?
Ronald has Scottish and Old Norse roots. Ronald is the Scottish form of the Old Norse name Rögnvaldr, made from elements meaning the counsel or power of the gods and to rule.
Is Ronald a popular name?
Yes. Ronald ranked #638 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ronald a boy or girl name?
Ronald is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ronald?
Ronald is usually pronounced RAH-nuhld. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings