Ronald
Peaked at #9 nationally in 1941, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1883, Ronald has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Ronald traces back to the Old Norse Rögnvaldr, combining regin ("counsel" or "decision") with valdr ("ruler"), giving a meaning close to "ruler's advisor" or "one who rules by counsel." The name reached English usage as the Scottish form of Reginald, brought over through Norse settlement in Scotland before spreading throughout Britain and later the United States.
Notable people & culture
Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. president, is the name's most prominent political bearer, having previously served as Governor of California and a Hollywood actor. Director Ron Howard and figure skater-turned-broadcaster Ronald "Ron" MacLean are other recognizable figures. The name is commonly shortened to Ron or Ronnie.
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Ronald — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#856
in 1946
Last ranked
#16335
in 1999
Years tracked
74
1919–1999
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1919, Ronald reached its peak popularity for girls in 1946, ranking #856 nationally with 94 babies given the name that year.
Ronald hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 1999, when it stood at #16335.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | #16,335 | 5 |
| 1994 | #13,045 | 6 |
| 1993 | #9,351 | 9 |
| 1992 | #7,411 | 12 |
| 1991 | #8,450 | 10 |
| 1990 | #6,067 | 15 |
| 1989 | #4,637 | 20 |
| 1988 | #2,784 | 38 |
Ronald — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#9
in 1941
Current rank
#575
in 2024
Years tracked
141
1883–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1883, Ronald reached its peak popularity for boys in 1941, ranking #9 nationally with 24,407 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #394 (2014) to #575 (2024) — a 31% drop.
As of 2024, Ronald ranks #575 nationally for boys, with 495 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #575 | 495 |
| 2023 | #612 | 457 |
| 2022 | #559 | 532 |
| 2021 | #562 | 504 |
| 2020 | #559 | 502 |
| 2019 | #528 | 540 |
| 2018 | #491 | 587 |
| 2017 | #462 | 659 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Ronald most popular?
Ronald was most popular in 1941, when it ranked #9 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Ronald becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Ronald?
At least 1,085,633 babies have been recorded with the name Ronald in the US since 1883, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
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