UK boy's name
Ronaldo
Prominent spanish name derived from the ancient germanic word "Ragin" meaning "counselor".
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.
Ronaldo is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ronaldo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 21 births.
This profile covers 275 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, 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.
The latest count is about 14% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 273 living people in the UK are called Ronaldo. 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
- • Ronaldo ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 21 boys were registered as Ronaldo.
- • About 273 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ronaldo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2007
21 births
Estimated living
273
2026
Meaning
What does Ronaldo mean?
The name Ronaldo finds its roots in the Germanic languages, derived from the elements "raun" meaning "advice" and "wald" meaning "ruler." It emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 8th to 10th centuries AD, as a personal name used across various regions of Europe.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Frankish annals, a historical chronicle from the 9th century, where it is mentioned as Rounald. This spelling variation highlights the name's evolution over time and across different cultural contexts.
Ronaldo gained particular prominence in the Christian tradition, with several notable figures bearing this name. One such figure was Saint Ronaldo, a 12th-century Benedictine monk and scholar from Italy, who was renowned for his contributions to religious studies and devotional literature.
The name also found its way into literary works, such as the epic poem "The Song of Roland," which dates back to the 11th century. In this French literary masterpiece, the character Roland, a valiant knight in the service of Charlemagne, embodied qualities of bravery and heroism associated with the name.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Ronaldo. One of the earliest was Ronaldo of Cremona (c. 1150-1215), an Italian mathematician and physician who made significant contributions to the field of algebra and the study of optics.
Another prominent figure was Ronaldo Saporiti (1470-1539), an Italian Renaissance architect and sculptor who designed several churches and palaces in Rome and other Italian cities.
In the 16th century, Ronaldo Bandini (1550-1629), an Italian scholar and diplomat, gained recognition for his work in promoting cultural exchange between Italy and other European nations.
Fast forward to the 19th century, Ronaldo Cavillucci (1823-1903), an Italian painter and sculptor, left a lasting impact on the art world with his distinctive neoclassical style and monumental works.
Lastly, Ronaldo Giusti (1936-1998), an Italian film director and screenwriter, made significant contributions to the world of cinema, known for his thought-provoking and socially conscious films.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Ronaldo throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and disciplines.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ronaldo over time
The chart below shows babies named Ronaldo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Ronaldo, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 21 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ronaldo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ronaldo 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 | #3653 | 20 | 4 |
| 2010s | #2496 | 82 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1434 | 139 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1395 | 34 | 3 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Ronaldo
-
Ronaldo Vieira
association football player
English association football player
1998-
Related
Names similar to Ronaldo
- 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
Ronaldo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ronaldo in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ronaldo was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ronaldo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 21 babies registered as Ronaldo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ronaldo?
Prominent spanish name derived from the ancient germanic word "Ragin" meaning "counselor".
How many people are called Ronaldo in the UK?
A total of 275 babies have been registered as Ronaldo across the 27 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
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.