Ronnie
BoyEnglish, Scottish· “short for Ronald, ruler's counsel”
- Meaning
- short for Ronald, ruler's counsel
- Origin
- English, Scottish
- Pronunciation
- RON-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,067
- US babies 2025
- 204
- Best rank
- #54 (1946)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Ronnie
Ronnie is an English and Scottish name that means “short for Ronald, ruler's counsel”.
Ronnie is a short form of Ronald, which comes from the Old Norse Rögnvaldr, combining regin, "advice" or "the gods," and valdr, "ruler." Ronald was brought to Scotland by Norse settlers and became common there before spreading to other English-speaking countries. Ronnie has been used as a nickname for generations and is now also given on its own, for both boys and girls. It has a warm, friendly, slightly retro feel, and it suggests someone approachable and good-humored. Ron is an even shorter option.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ronny, Rani.
Popularity over time
Ronnie first appears in US Social Security records in 1903. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 94 different years, starting in 1928. Its best national rank was #54 in 1946, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 6,110 were named Ronnie. In 2025, 204 babies were named Ronnie, and it ranked #1,067 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,681 in 1920, #76 in 1950, #173 in 1980, #482 in 2000, #672 in 2010, and #1,067 in 2025. Of the 182,926 US boys named Ronnie since records began, 28% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 42,456 babies. Since 2010, 4,182 more have been named Ronnie.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Johnny, Bill, Roy, Tommy, and Eddie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ronnie ranked highest in Iowa, Mississippi, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #559 | 6 |
| Mississippi | #601 | 5 |
| Kentucky | #615 | 7 |
| Ohio | #706 | 13 |
| South Carolina | #725 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 85% of US babies named Ronnie over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Ronnie is usually pronounced RON-ee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-ie”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ronny and Rani.
Middle names for Ronnie
A few middle names that flow with Ronnie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ronnie
Similar names
Lists that include Ronnie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ronnie mean?
Ronnie is an English and Scottish name that means “short for Ronald, ruler's counsel”.
What is the origin of the name Ronnie?
Ronnie has English, Scottish, and Old Norse roots. Ronnie is a short form of Ronald, which comes from the Old Norse Rögnvaldr, combining regin, "advice" or "the gods," and valdr, "ruler." Ronald was brought to Scotland by Norse settlers and became common there before spreading to other English-speaking countries.
Is Ronnie a popular name?
Not especially. Ronnie ranked #1,067 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ronnie a boy or girl name?
Ronnie is mainly a boy's name. About 85% of US babies named Ronnie over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Ronnie?
Ronnie is usually pronounced RON-ee. 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