Ronald Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Ronald is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Ronald?
Ronald is spelled R-O-N-A-L-D. The name has 6 letters.
Ronald at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Ronald may derive from Old Norse elements meaning “ruler”s counsel' or “mighty counselor.”
- Origin
- Ronald is commonly associated with Old Norse origins and has been used in English-speaking countries for many centuries.
- Pronunciation
- RON-uhld · 2 syllables
Ronald Popularity in 2025
Rank#637
Recorded Births438
- Boys usage fell 62 places to #637 and recorded 59 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Ronald Mean?
Ronald may derive from Old Norse elements meaning “ruler”s counsel' or “mighty counselor.”
Origin: Ronald is commonly associated with Old Norse origins and has been used in English-speaking countries for many centuries.
How Do You Pronounce Ronald?
PronunciationRON-uhld
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Ronald?
- History
- The name Ronald has appeared in various historical records, including medieval Scottish and Scandinavian documents, reflecting its longstanding use.
Ronald Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 438 | #637 |
| 2024 | Boys | 497 | #575 |
| 2023 | Boys | 457 | #611 |
| 2022 | Boys | 532 | #559 |
| 2021 | Boys | 505 | #562 |
| 2020 | Boys | 503 | #558 |
| 2019 | Boys | 541 | #526 |
| 2018 | Boys | 588 | #490 |
| 2017 | Boys | 660 | #459 |
| 2016 | Boys | 728 | #429 |
| 2015 | Boys | 704 | #434 |
| 2014 | Boys | 791 | #394 |
| 2013 | Boys | 745 | #402 |
| 2012 | Boys | 797 | #378 |
| 2011 | Boys | 889 | #342 |
| 2010 | Boys | 913 | #343 |
| 2009 | Boys | 926 | #341 |
| 2008 | Boys | 1,089 | #307 |
| 2007 | Boys | 1,175 | #292 |
| 2006 | Boys | 1,374 | #249 |
| 2005 | Boys | 1,302 | #255 |
| 2004 | Boys | 1,450 | #232 |
| 2003 | Boys | 1,406 | #237 |
| 2002 | Boys | 1,521 | #227 |
When Was Ronald Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1947 · Boys
34,899 recorded births
National rank #11
1948 · Boys
33,527 recorded births
National rank #10
1946 · Boys
31,858 recorded births
National rank #10
1949 · Boys
31,502 recorded births
National rank #11
Where Ronald Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | #377 | 21 |
| ID | #377 | 6 |
| MD | #407 | 12 |
| MI | #420 | 20 |
| LA | #426 | 11 |
| PA | #458 | 22 |
| CO | #468 | 12 |
| FL | #499 | 36 |