MallowbyNames

Renaldo

ri-NAHL-doh · An Italian form of Reynold, likely meaning 'ruler's counsel' or 'might of the ruler' in Germanic origin, but the exact meaning of the second element is debated.

2025 rank (boys)
#12,008
Babies named in 2025
5
Peak popularity
1982
2025 frequency
1 in 341,615 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 2022

A 1980s favorite, climbing again.

Popularity of Renaldo since 1914

Babies named Renaldo per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3977116192019602000Most births 1982Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s60
1920s99
1930s79
1940s115
1950s360
1960s389
1970s400
1980s767
1990s255
2000s164
2010s143
2020s48

Meaning & origin

Renaldo is an Italian adaptation of the Germanic name Reynold. True to its roots, it has been used in the United States since at least 1914, with its greatest frequency occurring in 1982. After a period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2022, climbing to a rank of 12,008 in 2025, where it was given to roughly 1 in every 341,615 newborn boys. While it has not been particularly concentrated in any single state in recent years, its Italianate sound has made it a familiar choice within families seeking a name with European flair.

Renaldo is the Italian variant of Reynold, which itself derives from the Old German name Raginald, composed of elements ragin 'counsel' or 'might' and wald 'ruler.' While the precise meaning of the first element is uncertain, it has long been used in Italy. The name gained some international recognition through the 1970s song 'Renaissance' and has been popular among African American communities in the United States, particularly in the late 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Ren, Reno, Al

Variants: Reynaldo, Reinaldo, Renado

Sibling names for Renaldo

Names that share Renaldo's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

R is for Renaldo, our favorite little boy.

R is for Renaldo…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Renaldo's letter becomes Renaldo's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Renaldo's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Renaldo mean?
Renaldo is an Italian form of Reynold, which likely means 'ruler's counsel' or 'might of the ruler' from Germanic elements, though the exact origin of the first component is debated.
How popular is the name Renaldo?
Renaldo ranked 12,008 in the U.S. in 2025, with about 1 in 341,615 newborn boys given the name. Its peak year was 1982, and it has been slowly rising in popularity since 2022.
Is Renaldo a boy's name?
Yes, Renaldo is almost exclusively used for boys.