Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ronan
BoyIrish· “little seal”
- Meaning
- little seal
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- ROH-nuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #247
- US babies 2025
- 1,406
- Best rank
- #247 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Ronan
Ronan is an Irish name that means “little seal”.
Ronan comes from the Irish Rónán, a diminutive of rón, meaning seal, so it translates as little seal. Several early Irish saints bore the name, and one Saint Ronan is also honored in Brittany, where the town of Locronan takes its name from him. The seal connection fits the name's Atlantic, seafaring roots. Ronan has long been used in Ireland and has spread across the English-speaking world, where its soft sound and Celtic character appeal to many parents. It is simple to spell and pronounce, and it pairs well with both traditional and modern middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ronen.
Popularity over time
Ronan first appears in US Social Security records in 1959. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 25 different years, starting in 2001. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #247, and its highest count, 1,406 babies. Use has grown 37% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #3,798 in 1980, #1,013 in 2000, #508 in 2010, and #247 in 2025. Of the 20,679 US boys named Ronan since records began, 44% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 7,749 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Shepherd, Crew, Cyrus, Zayn, and Muhammad.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ronan ranked highest in Vermont, Alaska, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #99 | 6 |
| Alaska | #107 | 8 |
| Oregon | #117 | 34 |
| Hawaii | #122 | 9 |
| New Hampshire | #127 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Ronan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Ronan is usually pronounced ROH-nuhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ronen.
Middle names for Ronan
A few middle names that flow with Ronan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ronan
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Lists that include Ronan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ronan mean?
Ronan is an Irish name that means “little seal”.
What is the origin of the name Ronan?
Ronan has Irish roots. Ronan comes from the Irish Rónán, a diminutive of rón, meaning seal, so it translates as little seal.
Is Ronan a popular name?
Yes. Ronan ranked #247 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ronan a boy or girl name?
Ronan is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Ronan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Ronan?
Ronan is usually pronounced ROH-nuhn. 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