Declining since 1985, #637 for boys today.
Popularity of Ronald since 1883
Babies named Ronald per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 63 |
| 1890s | 209 |
| 1900s | 616 |
| 1910s | 5,301 |
| 1920s | 20,894 |
| 1930s | 140,332 |
| 1940s | 282,489 |
| 1950s | 271,139 |
| 1960s | 182,190 |
| 1970s | 81,730 |
| 1980s | 46,670 |
| 1990s | 26,681 |
| 2000s | 13,645 |
| 2010s | 7,356 |
| 2020s | 2,932 |
Meaning & origin
Ronald is a traditional masculine name that peaked in popularity in the United States in 1943, when it was a top name for boys. It has steadily declined since the mid-1980s and in 2025 ranked 637th, with approximately 1 in 3,900 boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 1985, though it remains most common in states such as Idaho, Louisiana, and New Jersey. The name's enduring presence reflects its deep roots in Norse and Scottish history, where it originated as Rǫgnvaldr, a compound of 'advice' and 'ruler.' Over centuries, it spread across the English-speaking world, carried by Scandinavian settlers and Gaelic speakers. Today, Ronald is recognized as a classic name with vintage charm, evoking a sense of mid-20th-century familiarity.
Ronald is an English and Scottish name derived from the Old Norse Rǫgnvaldr, composed of regin 'advice, counsel' and valdr 'ruler'. It was introduced to Britain by Scandinavian settlers and later reinforced by the Gaelic form Raghnall. The name has been in consistent use since the medieval period, often associated with Scottish clans, and gained wider popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Where Ronald 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.
“Ronald” around the world
Where Ronald 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: Ron, Ronnie
Sibling names for Ronald
Names that share Ronald's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Dorothy, Geraldine, Marilyn, Patricia, Shirley, Cheryl, Deanna, Denise, Donna, Janet, Karen, Nancy, Roberta, Ronda, Sharon, Sheryl, Carolann, Carole, Cherlyn, Cindi, Darla, Donella, Donetta, Donia, Gayla, Gerri, Jerilyn, Jerri, Jerrilyn, Lanita, Lorinda, Marla, Richelle, Ronica, Roxann, Sharilyn, Sharron, Vonda, Arlinda, Arnita, Carmon, Carolee, Cheryle, Cinda, Deneen, Donita, Gaynell, Jerilynn, Joette, Jolynn, Laurinda, Lavonda, Loreen, Lorry, Pamelia, Pamella, Remona, Renay, Renea, Saralyn, Sharen, Sharolyn, Sharyl, Sherilyn, Sherree, Sherril, Sherryl, Sheryll, Tangela, Tonette, Wonda, Yolonda, Adonna, Alonda, Belynda, Bobbette, Branda, Brendalee, Carylon, Charlynn, Charmin, Charyl, Cherl, Chrisann, Cindia, Claretta, Cynda, Cyndee, Darilyn, Darlynn, Deronda, Dinora, Donalee, Dondra, Donnette, Donnita, Doree, Dorenda, Dyanne, Gerilyn, Jacolyn, Jannelle, Jenean, Jerolyn, Jonda, Karene, Karilyn, Karole, Lizanne, Lorenda, Lorilee, Lorisa, Lorra, Lorraina, Marlinda, Pamila, Pamla, Ranelle, Rayetta, Renda, Revonda, Rondi, Ronelle, Ronetta, Ronette, Ronika, Ronita, Ronnette, Roshell, Roxan, Sandrea, Shalene, Sharry, Shelena, Sheliah, Sheral, Sherian, Sherlin, Sheryle, Shronda, Sonji, Terrilynn, Wynelle, Yulanda, Candus, Carolle, Carollyn, Carollynn, Charnette, Charnita, Cherly, Cherlynn, Cheryln, Cherylyn, Chyrl, Cindra, Cyndia, Daralyn, Darleny, Deborra, Debralee, Debria, Deby, Denisia, Dennette, Dennice, Derenda, Devonda, Diahann, Donise, Donnella, Doreena, Dorraine, Drinda, Durinda, Evonda, Gaylyn, Geralynn, Jerlyn, Jerrilynn, Jodine, Jowanna, Laree, Leonda, Loletha, Loralyn, Lorilyn, Lynita, Lynnann, Mardi, Marvette, Merelyn, Morrisa, Pamula, Radonna, Raenell, Ragina, Ralene, Ramonda, Raynetta, Redonna, Renika, Reonna, Richetta, Rogena, Rogina, Ronalda, Ronalee, Rozann, Scherrie, Scheryl, Sharel, Sharren, Shellia, Sherill, Sherlynn, Sherolyn, Tonetta, Tonnette, Veronda, Bronda, Cherrill, Gerilynn, Runell, Taronda, Artina, Batina, Blinda, Brendolyn, Cherrise, Cherylee, Chryl, Darene, Darlisa, Darrelyn, Debe, Delrae, Demita, Derhonda, Donalyn, Donnajean, Donnice, Dorreen, Geriann, Geryl, Jerilee, Jerita, Karletta, Lafreda, Leanette, Lorann, Lynnel, Maridee, Marilyne, Marshella, Marshia, Ranetta, Rayette, Renelda, Rhenda, Rhonna, Richel, Rolene, Romonda, Ronae, Rondalyn, Roneka, Ronnica, Ronnika, Ronnisha, Runette, Sadonna, Shalona, Sharonlee, Shawnae, Sherald, Sheriann, Sherlonda, Sherral, Sherryann, Sherryll, Soundra, Teriann, Trease, Valoree, Vanette
Brothers: Donald, Gerald, Harold, Raymond, Richard, Dennis, Jerald, Jerry, Jimmie, Randal, Roger, Terry, Darel, Darrel, Karon, Lyndon, Randell, Randon, Rondal, Ronell, Sheron, Cheron, Darral, Denell, Dewaine, Donnelle, Garald, Gerad, Jerrald, Lemont, Rande, Raymone, Rober, Romelle, Rondall, Rondel, Ronel, Roney, Darald, Darrall, Deland, Dervin, Gregary, Gregrey, Jerris, Larone, Levonne, Ranell, Rishard, Ronnel, Ronold, Rudell, Carold, Derreon, Kirtis, Oronde, Rachard, Rockney, Rodel, Rondle, Roniel, Shiron
Names like Ronald
Names whose popularity has moved with Ronald's over the last 50 years.
