Declining since 2022, #2,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Ragnar since 1915
Babies named Ragnar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 29 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 292 |
| 2020s | 456 |
Meaning & origin
Ragnar is a name with deep Old Norse roots, ranking 2,539 in 2025 with a rate of 1 in 32,848 newborns. Its peak popularity came in 2023, though it has been on a downward trajectory since 2022. The name has been in U.S. records since 1915, and its most common states of use are Pennsylvania and California. Ragnar carries strong masculine associations, largely due to the legendary Viking figure Ragnar Lodbrok, which has kept the name in cultural circulation for over a millennium.
Ragnar is an Old Norse masculine name derived from the elements 'ragin' (advice, counsel) and 'her' (army). It appears in Norse sagas and legends, most famously as the semi-legendary Viking king Ragnar Lodbrok. The name was revived in the 19th century and saw increased modern use due to pop culture references.
Where Ragnar is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ragnar” around the world
Where Ragnar lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rag
Variants: Ragnarr, Ragner
Sibling names for Ragnar
Names that share Ragnar's style, for a brother or sister.
