UK name, mostly boys
Reign
A name meaning supreme sovereignty, authority, or dominion.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 407 girls.
Reign is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Reign popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #294, with 153 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 153 births.
This profile covers 951 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2007 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Reign is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 990 living people in the UK are called Reign. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Reign ranked #294 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 153 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 153 boys were registered as Reign.
- • Reign ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #352 in 2024.
- • Reign is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 990 living people in the UK are estimated to have Reign as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 70.0% of Reign registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#294
2024
Births in 2024
153
Latest year
Peak year
2024
153 births
Estimated living
990
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Reign
In England and Wales birth records, Reign has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 70.0% of registrations are for boys and 30.0% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Reign registered for boys
- Ranked #294 in 2024
- 153 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (153 births)
Reign registered for girls
- Ranked #722 in 2024
- 52 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2022 (66 births)
Meaning
What does Reign mean?
The name Reign is derived from the French word "régner," which means "to rule" or "to govern." It is believed to have originated during the medieval period, when monarchs and rulers were a prominent part of society. The name is closely associated with the concept of sovereignty and power.
In its earliest form, the name Reign was likely used as a descriptive term or title for those who held positions of authority. Over time, it transitioned into a given name, reflecting the aspirations and ideals of those who chose it for their children.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Reign can be found in the late 12th century, when a nobleman named Reign de Châtillon was mentioned in historical records. De Châtillon was a French lord and military commander who played a significant role in the Third Crusade.
Another notable figure with the name Reign was Reign de Montlhéry, a 13th-century French nobleman and warrior. He was a prominent figure during the Albigensian Crusade and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.
In the 16th century, the name Reign gained popularity among the French nobility. One example is Reign de Guise, a member of the powerful House of Guise, who was a prominent figure during the French Wars of Religion. He was known for his military prowess and his unwavering commitment to the Catholic cause.
Moving into the 17th century, the name Reign was also used by members of the English aristocracy. One notable figure was Reign Percy, the 10th Earl of Northumberland, who lived from 1602 to 1670. He was a prominent military leader during the English Civil War and played a significant role in the events that led to the execution of King Charles I.
In more recent history, the name Reign has been associated with various artists and public figures. One example is Reign Edwards, an American actress born in 1997, who is known for her roles in television shows such as "MacGyver" and "Snowfall."
While the name Reign may have originated from a specific cultural and historical context, its meaning and symbolism have transcended borders and generations. Its connection to power, authority, and leadership has made it a compelling choice for parents seeking a strong and meaningful name for their child.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Reign over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Reign in England and Wales, from 2007 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Reign, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 153 births in 2024, compared with 153 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Reign by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Reign was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #332 | 669 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1887 | 279 | 7 |
| 2000s | #4333 | 3 | 1 |
Geography
Where Reign is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Reign. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Reign ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #352 in 2024.
Across the UK
Reign in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#352 in 2024
7 years of NRS records, 41 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#395 in 2023
1 years of NISRA records, 3 total registered
Related
Names similar to Reign
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Reign: questions and answers
How popular is the name Reign in the UK right now?
In 2024, Reign was ranked #294 for boys in England and Wales, with 153 births registered.
When was Reign most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 153 babies registered as Reign in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Reign?
A name meaning supreme sovereignty, authority, or dominion.
How many people are called Reign in the UK?
A total of 951 babies have been registered as Reign across the 13 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 41 more in Scotland and 3 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Reign most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Reign ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #352 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.