Reggie is a diminutive form of the name Reginald, which originates from the Old German name Hrodingan. The full name Reginald was popularized in England by the Normans during the 11th century and has been used consistently since then.
The name Reggie is composed of two elements: 'Hrod' meaning 'fame' or 'renown', and '-ing' which signifies a quality or state of being. Therefore, the meaning of Reginald can be interpreted as "having fame" or "having renown". However, it's important to note that this interpretation may vary depending on the source.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Reggie or Reginald. One of the most famous is probably Sir Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian inventor who is often credited with being the first person to transmit audio over radio waves in 1900. Another notable figure is Reginald "Reg" Lewis, an American entrepreneur and former chairman of BET (Black Entertainment Television).
While Reggie has been used as both a first name and nickname throughout history, it became particularly popular during the mid-20th century, especially in English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Today, Reggie continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a strong yet approachable name for their sons.
In terms of its popularity, according to data from the Social Security Administration, Reggie peaked in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s but has since declined slightly. However, it remains within the top thousand most popular boy names in the United States each year.
The name Reggie has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1908 and 2023, there have been a total of 522 babies named Reggie born in the U.S., with fluctuations in birth counts year by year.
In its early history, the name was quite uncommon, with only 6 births recorded in 1908. However, it began to gain traction during the 1920s and 1930s, with consistent totals of around 5 births per year from 1922 to 1934.
The name's popularity started to rise significantly in the 1940s, reaching a peak of 19 births in 1955. This decade also marked a period of consistency and growth for Reggie, with annual birth counts ranging between 7 and 19 over its 10-year span.
The 1950s and 1960s saw a decrease in popularity for the name, with numbers fluctuating between 5 to 15 births per year. However, it experienced another spike in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching totals of up to 15 births annually.
Since then, Reggie's popularity has remained relatively steady, with birth counts typically ranging from 5 to 10 each year. The most recent data available shows that there were 20 births in the U.S. named Reggie in 2023.
Overall, despite some fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Reggie continues to be a recognizable and meaningful choice for parents in the United States today.