Ronald Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Ronald Name Meaning

Fact: The iconic clown of McDonald fast food chain has the full name o Ronald McDonald, fuelling the the popularity of the name.

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A Deep Dive

Ronald Overview

Meaning

Ruler’s counselor, ruler of decision

Gender

Boy

Origin

Old Norse, Old English

Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse name Rögnvaldr, meaning “advice” (regin) and “ruler” (valdr)​.

Pronunciation

/ˈrɒn.əld/

Popularity

Ronald remains a classic name, notable in countries like the USA and Scotland. In the USA, it ranked #611 for boys in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Traditional, Classic, Vintage

Associated Traits

Strong, mature, formal, serious

Name Day

June 19th
A Deep Dive

Ronald Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Randal, Ronaldo, Reynold, Ronaldus, Ronson

Common Nicknames

Ron, Ronnie, Ronny, Ro, Rondo, Ronny Bear, Ronster, Rondawg, Roninator, Ron Skywalker

Diminutives

Ronny, Ronalito, Roni, Ronito, Roncito, Rono

Famous People

  • Ronald Reagan
    (American President)
  • Ronald Isley
    (American R&B Singer)
  • Ronald Colman
    (British Actor)
  • Ronald McNair
    (American Astronaut)
  • Ronald Koeman
    (Dutch Soccer Player)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Ronald McDonald
    ("McDonald's," Mascot)
  • Ronald Weasley
    ("Harry Potter," Book Series)
  • Ronald Reagan
    ("The Reagan Diaries," Book)
  • Ronald Miller
    ("Can't Buy Me Love," Film)
  • Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott
    ("Highway to Hell," Album)

Places

  • Ronald
    (Washington, USA)
  • Ronald
    (Minnesota, USA)
  • Ronald
    (Kansas, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Ronald?

Ronald means “ruler’s counselor” or “ruler of decision.” Individuals named Ronald often exhibit leadership qualities and a natural inclination to provide guidance and support.

What Is the Origin of The Name Ronald?

The name Ronald has its origins in Old Norse and Old English, derived from the name Rǫgnvaldr, which means “ruler’s advisor.”

Ronald Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Ronald in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#5632021#5592022#6112023
Top 3 Rankings#91941#91942#91943

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Ronald

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023611
(-52 from 2022)
456
(-75 from 2022)
0.02490
2022559
(+4 from 2021)
531
(+29 from 2021)
0.02835
2021563
(-5 from 2020)
502
No change from 2020
0.02679
2020558
(-30 from 2019)
502
(-37 from 2019)
0.02714
2019528
(-37 from 2018)
539
(-48 from 2018)
0.02805
2018491
(-29 from 2017)
587
(-71 from 2017)
0.03020
2017462
(-33 from 2016)
658
(-70 from 2016)
0.03325
2016429
(+5 from 2015)
728
(+24 from 2015)
0.03594
2015434
(-40 from 2014)
704
(-87 from 2014)
0.03443
2014394
(+7 from 2013)
791
(+48 from 2013)
0.03860
2013401
(-23 from 2012)
743
(-54 from 2012)
0.03677
2012378
(-37 from 2011)
797
(-92 from 2011)
0.03928
2011341
(+2 from 2010)
889
(-24 from 2010)
0.04376
2010343
(-2 from 2009)
913
(-13 from 2009)
0.04444
2009341
(-34 from 2008)
926
(-163 from 2008)
0.04366
2008307
(-15 from 2007)
1089
(-86 from 2007)
0.04994
2007292
(-43 from 2006)
1175
(-199 from 2006)
0.05305
2006249
(+6 from 2005)
1374
(+72 from 2005)
0.06267
2005255
(-23 from 2004)
1302
(-148 from 2004)
0.06120
2004232
(+5 from 2003)
1450
(+45 from 2003)
0.06861
2003237
(-10 from 2002)
1405
(-117 from 2002)
0.06687
2002227
(-15 from 2001)
1522
(-130 from 2001)
0.07365
2001212
(-9 from 2000)
1652
(-98 from 2000)
0.07987
2000203
(-17 from 1999)
1750
(-123 from 1999)
0.08380
1999186
(-4 from 1998)
1873
(+26 from 1998)
0.09186
1998182
(-18 from 1997)
1847
(-249 from 1997)
0.09109
1997164
(-8 from 1996)
2096
(-133 from 1996)
0.10492
1996156
(-10 from 1995)
2229
(-172 from 1995)
0.11124
1995146
(-9 from 1994)
2401
(-162 from 1994)
0.11937
1994137
(-15 from 1993)
2563
(-319 from 1993)
0.12574
1993122
(-10 from 1992)
2882
(-340 from 1992)
0.13953
1992112
(-11 from 1991)
3222
(-447 from 1991)
0.15349
1991101
(-4 from 1990)
3669
(-231 from 1990)
0.17309
199097
(-12 from 1989)
3900
(-210 from 1989)
0.18122
198985
(-6 from 1988)
4110
(-62 from 1988)
0.19609
198879
(-6 from 1987)
4172
(+19 from 1987)
0.20836
198773
(+2 from 1986)
4153
(-71 from 1986)
0.21295
198675
(-4 from 1985)
4224
(-75 from 1985)
0.21981
198571
(-4 from 1984)
4299
(-206 from 1984)
0.22339
198467
(-3 from 1983)
4505
(-198 from 1983)
0.24005
198364
(-4 from 1982)
4703
(-503 from 1982)
0.25236
198260
(-1 from 1981)
5206
(-331 from 1981)
0.27586
198159
(-1 from 1980)
5537
(-219 from 1980)
0.29731
198058
(-4 from 1979)
5756
(+61 from 1979)
0.31034
197954
(+1 from 1978)
5695
(-65 from 1978)
0.31792
197855
(-2 from 1977)
5760
(-268 from 1977)
0.33712
197753
(-4 from 1976)
6028
(-431 from 1976)
0.35265
197649
(-3 from 1975)
6459
(-604 from 1975)
0.39563
197546
(-4 from 1974)
7063
(-603 from 1974)
0.43534
197442
(-2 from 1973)
7666
(-660 from 1973)
0.47023
197340
(-8 from 1972)
8326
(-1177 from 1972)
0.51598
197232
(-1 from 1971)
9503
(-2114 from 1971)
0.56767
197131
(-2 from 1970)
11617
(-2000 from 1970)
0.63905
197029
No change from 1969
13617
(-1004 from 1969)
0.71489
196929
(-4 from 1968)
14621
(-793 from 1968)
0.79933
196825
(-1 from 1967)
15414
(-1029 from 1967)
0.86818
196724
No change from 1966
16443
(-512 from 1966)
0.92406
196624
No change from 1965
16955
(-661 from 1965)
0.93281
196524
No change from 1964
17616
(-1226 from 1964)
0.92980
196424
(-1 from 1963)
18842
(-940 from 1963)
0.92954
196323
(+2 from 1962)
19782
(-177 from 1962)
0.95814
196225
(-1 from 1961)
19959
(-877 from 1961)
0.94967
196124
(-3 from 1960)
20836
(-866 from 1960)
0.96597
196021
No change from 1959
21702
(-1398 from 1959)
1.00224
195921
(-2 from 1958)
23100
(-1725 from 1958)
1.06625
195819
(-2 from 1957)
24825
(-2389 from 1957)
1.15204
195717
(-2 from 1956)
27214
(-509 from 1956)
1.24327
195615
(+3 from 1955)
27723
(+1550 from 1955)
1.29171
195518
(-3 from 1954)
26173
(-1455 from 1954)
1.25214
195415
No change from 1953
27628
(-86 from 1953)
1.33524
195315
No change from 1952
27714
(-85 from 1952)
1.38417
195215
(-3 from 1951)
27799
(-1247 from 1951)
1.40877
195112
No change from 1950
29046
(-863 from 1950)
1.51940
195012
(-1 from 1949)
29909
(-1587 from 1949)
1.64443
194911
(-1 from 1948)
31496
(-2025 from 1948)
1.74783
194810
(+1 from 1947)
33521
(-1379 from 1947)
1.88030
194711
(-1 from 1946)
34900
(+3044 from 1946)
1.87879
194610
No change from 1945
31856
(+8194 from 1945)
1.93021
194510
No change from 1944
23662
(-1853 from 1944)
1.72533
194410
(-1 from 1943)
25515
(-3723 from 1943)
1.83672
19439
No change from 1942
29238
(+2103 from 1942)
2.01002
19429
No change from 1941
27135
(+2726 from 1941)
1.92679
19419
(+1 from 1940)
24409
(+3673 from 1940)
1.94516
194010
No change from 1939
20736
(+900 from 1939)
1.74815
193910
No change from 1938
19836
(-460 from 1938)
1.75028
193810
(+1 from 1937)
20296
(+2155 from 1937)
1.78585
193711
(+1 from 1936)
18141
(+1223 from 1936)
1.65877
193612
No change from 1935
16918
(+1429 from 1935)
1.58959
193512
(-1 from 1934)
15489
(+1401 from 1934)
1.44812
193411
(+1 from 1933)
14088
(+2027 from 1933)
1.32663
193312
(+4 from 1932)
12061
(+918 from 1932)
1.18223
193216
(+11 from 1931)
11143
(+4418 from 1931)
1.03710
193127
(+10 from 1930)
6725
(+1090 from 1930)
0.62864
193037
(+8 from 1929)
5635
(+1156 from 1929)
0.49889
192945
(+5 from 1928)
4479
(+510 from 1928)
0.40439
192850
(+13 from 1927)
3969
(+853 from 1927)
0.34780
192763
(+25 from 1926)
3116
(+833 from 1926)
0.26818
192688
(+16 from 1925)
2283
(+609 from 1925)
0.19931
1925104
(+26 from 1924)
1674
(+314 from 1924)
0.14539
1924130
(+12 from 1923)
1360
(+212 from 1923)
0.11634
1923142
(+5 from 1922)
1148
(+106 from 1922)
0.10139
1922147
(+7 from 1921)
1042
(+50 from 1921)
0.09261
1921154
(+14 from 1920)
992
(+160 from 1920)
0.08718
1920168
(+3 from 1919)
832
(+48 from 1919)
0.07558
1919171
(+5 from 1918)
784
(+33 from 1918)
0.07722
1918176
(-11 from 1917)
751
(-15 from 1917)
0.07162
1917165
No change from 1916
766
(+43 from 1916)
0.07985
1916165
(-10 from 1915)
723
(-40 from 1915)
0.07831
1915155
(+8 from 1914)
763
(+222 from 1914)
0.08661
1914163
(+3 from 1913)
541
(+124 from 1913)
0.07917
1913166
(+25 from 1912)
417
(+115 from 1912)
0.07776
1912191
(+27 from 1911)
302
(+166 from 1911)
0.06689
1911218
(-4 from 1910)
136
(+18 from 1910)
0.05634
1910214
(+11 from 1909)
118
(+25 from 1909)
0.05659
1909225
(+20 from 1908)
93
(+18 from 1908)
0.05258
1908245
(-30 from 1907)
75
(-13 from 1907)
0.04508
1907215
(+10 from 1906)
88
(+12 from 1906)
0.05549
1906225
(+52 from 1905)
76
(+25 from 1905)
0.05275
1905277
(-7 from 1904)
51
(+1 from 1904)
0.03561
1904270
(-17 from 1903)
50
(-2 from 1903)
0.03610
1903253
(+14 from 1902)
52
(+3 from 1902)
0.04021
1902267
(-2 from 1901)
49
(+7 from 1901)
0.03691
1901265
(+78 from 1900)
42
(+2 from 1900)
0.03633
1900343
(+3 from 1899)
40
(+13 from 1899)
0.02467
1899346
(+39 from 1898)
27
(+1 from 1898)
0.02344
1898385
(-69 from 1897)
26
(-8 from 1897)
0.01968
1897316
(+91 from 1896)
34
(+11 from 1896)
0.02788
1896407
(-24 from 1895)
23
(-2 from 1895)
0.01782
1895383
(+29 from 1894)
25
(+4 from 1894)
0.01974
1894412
(+356 from 1893)
21
(+13 from 1893)
0.01681
1893768
(-288 from 1892)
8
(-9 from 1892)
0.00661
1892480
(+220 from 1891)
17
(+9 from 1891)
0.01293
1891700
(-295 from 1890)
8
(-12 from 1890)
0.00732
1890405
(+223 from 1889)
20
(+10 from 1889)
0.01671
1889628
(-123 from 1888)
10
(-5 from 1888)
0.00840
1888505
(+174 from 1887)
15
(+7 from 1887)
0.01155
1887679
(-167 from 1886)
8
(-5 from 1886)
0.00732
1886512
(+58 from 1884)
13
(+2 from 1884)
0.01092
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1884570
(+229 from 1883)
11
(+5 from 1883)
0.00896
1883799
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00533
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Ronald

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#6422021#6242022#5542023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#6892021#5562022#8212023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3632021#4242022#5252023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4892021#4482022#5482023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4452021#5932022#5882023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3762021#6542022#6362023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#6872021#7642022#8372023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#6452021#4112022#6942023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4822021#8012022#4902023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#5292021#4182022#3462023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#5822021#5432022#5942023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#6852021#6632022#5582023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4372021#4112022#4532023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3922021#5872022#6282023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#7892019#6332021#8952023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#5132021#4632022#4642023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#5472018#6372019#6412021

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4512021#3522022#7982023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#7172021#7982022#5412023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4072021#4122022#5302023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#8002021#4822022#7432023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#3992021#3582022#4342023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#5752021#7882022#9622023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#8652021#4722022#6142023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3652015#3392019#3742022

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3932018#6612019#4882022

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6402019#6502020#6382022

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#5552021#5692022#5602023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4892021#4412022#4762023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#7112021#8962022#7862023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3742015#6842017#5732020

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4422008#4282016#4922017

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4792016#3322018#4712022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2712013#1892014#2822017

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4642015#3882016#3322017

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2202005#2392006#2622011

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6512017#7442018#7572021

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#7362021#5802022#8082023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2262007#2202011#2252018

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1971994#1851999#2182016

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1641988#1391991#1862000

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3422005#4382007#4392019

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2392008#2302010#2132023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1592003#2252004#2072005

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3912007#4572008#4552009

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2102006#3112010#2622017

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1492010#1952011#1722015

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1221985#851986#1181987

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1291989#1211991#1201992

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3562017#5812019#4902022

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2292009#1802013#1642022

Popularity Rankings for Ronald in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#351957

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#721970#931971#881972

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#961998#912012

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1931999#1922006#1612007

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1901997#1951998#1721999

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1892005#1852006#1992007

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1891954#1951956#1981958

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2431991#2831994#3261999

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4872006#4022008#4722022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4022001#7452004#9622005

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#5142006#5512009#4562010

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4871997#5371999#5332000

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#5272007#7302011#7182012

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7292013#6632016#5642018

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#6342019#6682020#5692021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#11422020#9342021#11952022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Ronald a Name for Boys or Girls?

Ronald, meaning “ruler’s counselor,” is generally used for boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Ronald

Ronald in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Ronald Reagan (President, 1911–2004): The 40th president of the United States and a prominent figure in modern conservatism.
  • Ronald Isley (R&B Singer, 1941): Lead singer and founding member of the Isley Brothers, with a successful solo career.
  • Ronald Koeman (Soccer Player, 1963): A Dutch football manager and former player known for scoring over 250 goals as a defender.
  • Ronald Colman (Actor, 1891–1958): An English-born actor known for his work in theatre, silent film, and Hollywood.
  • Ronald McNair (Astronaut, 1950–1986): An American physicist and astronaut, the second African-American to travel into space.
  • Ronald McDonald ("McDonald's," Mascot): The clown character that represents the global fast-food chain McDonald's, known for his cheerful persona and community outreach efforts.
  • Ronald Weasley ("Harry Potter," 1997-2007 Book Series): One of the main characters in the series, a loyal friend to Harry Potter and member of the Weasley family.
  • Ronald Reagan ("The Reagan Diaries," 2007 Book): The personal diaries of the 40th president of the United States, providing insight into his presidency and personal life.
  • Ronald Miller ("Can't Buy Me Love," 1987 Film): A high school student who pays a popular girl to pretend to be his girlfriend in this teen romantic comedy.
  • Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott ("Highway to Hell," 1979 Album): The lead singer of the rock band AC/DC, known for his powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence.
  • Ronald (Washington, USA): A small community in Kittitas County, known for its proximity to Cle Elum Lake and outdoor recreational activities.
  • Ronald (Minnesota, USA): A locality in Minnesota, noted for its rural setting and agricultural contributions.
  • Ronald (Kansas, USA): A small unincorporated area in Kansas, characterized by its quiet, small-town atmosphere.

Similar Names to Ronald

Sibling Names for Ronald