A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Romona since 1908
Babies named Romona per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1955, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Romona's real moment was 1928.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 14 |
| 1910s | 97 |
| 1920s | 465 |
| 1930s | 699 |
| 1940s | 583 |
| 1950s | 1,152 |
| 1960s | 1,226 |
| 1970s | 595 |
| 1980s | 196 |
| 1990s | 66 |
| 2000s | 34 |
| 2010s | 22 |
| 2020s | 26 |
Meaning & origin
Romona is a rare but enduring name that peaked in popularity during the 1920s, reaching its highest rank in 1928. After years of decline, the name has seen a resurgence since 2019. With a current 1-in-321,453 birth rate, it remains an uncommon choice. Its origins are likely tied to the Spanish Ramona, meaning 'wise protector,' but it may also be a direct feminine form of Roman. The name's revival in recent decades, though modest, reflects a broader trend of vintage names making a comeback.
Romona is likely a variant of Ramona, the feminine form of Ramón, which is the Spanish cognate of Raymond. Raymond comes from the Germanic elements 'ragin' (advice, counsel) and 'mund' (protector), meaning 'wise protector.' Alternatively, Romona may be directly derived from the Latin 'Romanus,' meaning 'Roman.' The name saw its peak popularity in the 1920s in the United States, possibly influenced by the 1926 novel 'Ramona' by Helen Hunt Jackson, though the spelling 'Romona' is less common.
Where Romona is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Romy, Mona, Roma
Sibling names for Romona
Names that share Romona's style, for a brother or sister.
