Declining since 1985, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Randal since 1909
Babies named Randal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 9 |
| 1910s | 117 |
| 1920s | 208 |
| 1930s | 334 |
| 1940s | 1,707 |
| 1950s | 10,368 |
| 1960s | 8,386 |
| 1970s | 3,365 |
| 1980s | 2,418 |
| 1990s | 1,317 |
| 2000s | 533 |
| 2010s | 309 |
| 2020s | 121 |
Meaning & origin
Randal is a masculine name that peaked in popularity in 1958, when it ranked substantially higher. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined, reflecting broader trends away from the once-common 'Rand-' names. While not among the top names of its era, Randal saw consistent if modest use from its first recorded year in 1909 through the mid-20th century. In 2025, the name is given to roughly 1 in 94,893 newborns, a figure that underscores its current rarity. Its etymology ties it to the Old Norse tradition of compound names built around 'wolf', a powerful totem animal in Viking culture. The spelling Randal, as distinct from the more common Randall, appears to have been a streamlined variant that never achieved the same level of adoption.
Randal is a medieval English variant of Randolf, itself from the Old Norse name Rannúlfr, composed of the elements rann (house) or rand (shield) and úlfr (wolf). It was particularly common in northern England and Scotland under Viking influence.
Where Randal is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Randy, Rand, Ral
Sibling names for Randal
Names that share Randal's style, for a brother or sister.
