Ronald is of English origin, meaning 'powerful ruler'. It is composed of two elements: 'rún' meaning 'secret' or 'whisper', and 'wulf' meaning 'wolf'. This name was popularized during the Middle Ages through its use by several kings in various European countries. The most notable of these was Ronald III, King of Scotland from 1034 to 1058. Today, Ronald remains a classic choice for parents seeking a strong and traditional name for their son.
The name Ronald saw a significant drop in popularity between the years of 1944 and 1946, with only half as many births recorded in 1946 compared to 1944. There was another dip in 1963 before it picked up again slightly in 1966. Over these four years, a total of 21 babies were named Ronald.