Ron is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the surname MacDonald. The surname MacDonald is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name MacDhomhnaich, which means "son of Donald." Therefore, Ron can be interpreted as a diminutive or shortened form of Donald.
The name Donald itself has a rich history and several meanings. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "proud chief" or "world mighty," while in Irish Gaelic, it means "dark stranger." However, it is important to note that the connection between Ron and Donald is not universally agreed upon, as some sources suggest that Ron may have its own independent origin.
The name Ron first gained popularity in the United States during the early 20th century. It was particularly popular in the 1930s and 1940s but has since declined somewhat in usage. However, it remains a beloved classic name among many families.
In literature, one of the most famous Rons is Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Despite his fictional status, this character has contributed to the name's enduring popularity and appeal.
The name Ron experienced significant popularity and then a notable decline over the years. It started with just six births in 1919 but grew steadily to peak at an impressive 25 births in 1932. This trend continued, reaching a remarkable high of 1889 births in 1960. However, since the late 1960s, the popularity of the name Ron has been on a consistent decline, dropping from 1003 births in 1969 to just 36 births in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 36,311 babies named Ron between 1919 and 2023.