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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Ruler's counsel
- Origin
- Scottish (from Old Norse via Gaelic)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- RAH-nuld
Ronald is a Scottish name that came into English through Old Norse and Gaelic, carrying the meaning 'ruler's counsel.' It's pronounced RAH-nuld (IPA /ˈrɑːnəld/), and it has both a timeless, classic and vintage feel. Social Security has recorded it every year since 1883, so it's a name with a long, documented history in the U.S. rather than a recent arrival.
Meaning & Origin of Ronald
Meaning: Ruler's counsel.
Origin: Scottish (from Old Norse via Gaelic).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Ronald
RAH-nuldIPA /ˈrɑːnəld/
Popularity of Ronald
Ronald hit its high point at #9 in 1941, when 24,407 boys were given the name, but by 2024 it had fallen all the way to #575 with just 495 — a steep decline across more than eight decades of Social Security data.
Names Like Ronald
These names share Ronald’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Ronald mean?
Ruler’s counsel. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Ronald?
Ronald is pronounced RAH-nuld (IPA: /ˈrɑːnəld/).
Is Ronald a popular name right now?
Ronald peaked at #9 in 1941 and is ranked #575 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1883–2024.)
Make Ronald Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Ronald, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Ronald? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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