Ronald

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Ronald

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Ronald is the Gaelic form of a Norse name, Rögnvaldr. It originally meant “Wise Ruler” from “ragin” (advice) and “vald” (strength, rule).

History:
Rögnvaldr was exported to many different languages, becoming Regenweald (Old English), Reynold, Reginald, and Ronald. It was uncommon in Anglo-Saxon times (as Regenweald), but popular with the Normans (as Reinold). The Scottish Gaelic form Ronald became popular again during the mid-20th century.
Please see Reynold for additional information.

Pronunciation: ron-ald

Diminutives:
English: Ron, Ronnie, Ronny.

Alternates: Ronaldo.

See also: Ron, Ronnie.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Ronald Duncan (1914-1982)
British playwright.
Sir Ronald Graeme Millar (1919-1998)
British actor and playwright.
Ronald Searle (1920-)
British cartoonist.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Ronald Montagu Burrows (1867-1920)
British archaeologist.
Ronald Coase (1910-)
British -American economist. Winner of the 1991 Nobel Prize for Economics.

Fictional Characters:
Ronald McDonald
Mascot of McDonald’s restaurants.

Miscellaneous:
Ronald Kray (1942-1995)
British crime boss.
Ronald L. Ridenhour (1946-1998)
American journalist.

Political Figures:
Ronald W. Reagan (1911-)
40th President of the United States.
Ronald Harmon Brown (1941-1996)
American politician.

Religious Figures:
Ronald Knox (1888-1957)
Roman Catholic dignitary and translator of the Bible.

Scientists:
Sir Ronald Ross (1857-1932)
British bacteriologist. Winner of the 1902 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.
Ronald George Wreyford Norrish (1897-1978)
British chemist. Co-winner of the 1967 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Singers and Entertainers:
Ronald Colman (1891-1958)
British-American actor.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.725 % named Ronald
0.113 % named Ronnie
0.072 % named Ron
0.007 % named Ronny

Popularity of Ronald:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 251st most popular.
1910-1920: 172nd most popular.
1920-1930: 98th most popular.
1930-1940: 13th most popular.
1940-1950: 10th most popular.
1950-1960: 15th most popular.
1960-1970: 24th most popular.
1970-1980: 45th most popular.
1980-1990: 70th most popular.
1990: 101st most popular.
1991: 104th most popular.
1992: 117th most popular.
1993: 124th most popular.
1994: 144th most popular.
1995: 163rd most popular.
1996: 157th most popular.
1997: 165th most popular.
1998: 187th most popular.
1999: 188th most popular.
2000: 205th most popular.
2001: 213th most popular.
2002: 228th most popular.
2003: 241st most popular.

In France...
1900-1940: N/A
1946: 178th most popular.
1950: 170th most popular.
1958: 186th most popular.
1960-2000: N/A

Popularity of Ronaldo:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A
1996: N/A
1997: 866th most popular.
1998: 553rd most popular.
1999: 673rd most popular.
2000: 891st most popular.
2001: 918th most popular.
2002: 771st most popular.
2003: 749th most popular.