UK boy's name
Roran
A Welsh unisex name meaning "great or mighty champion".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Roran is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Roran popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3848, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 4 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2012 to 2020. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Roran. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Roran ranked #3848 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 4 boys were registered as Roran.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Roran as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3848
2020
Births in 2020
4
Latest year
Peak year
2012
4 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Meaning
What does Roran mean?
The given name Roran has its origins in the ancient Celtic cultures that existed across parts of Europe, including modern-day Britain and Ireland, as well as regions of Spain, France, and Germany. It is believed to have derived from the Proto-Celtic root word "ro," meaning "great" or "mighty," and the suffix "-an," which was a common ending used to form personal names.
This name first appears in written records dating back to the 5th century CE, when it was mentioned in various Celtic manuscripts and historical accounts. One of the earliest documented individuals with this name was Roran ap Cadwallon, a Welsh prince who lived in the late 6th century and was known for his military prowess in battles against the invading Anglo-Saxons.
In the 8th century, a Breton nobleman named Roran of Vannes was a prominent figure in the region of Brittany, France. He was known for his role in establishing several monastic communities and his support for the spread of Christianity in the area.
During the Middle Ages, the name Roran was particularly popular among the Irish and Scottish Celtic populations. One notable figure was Roran O'Conor, an Irish chieftain who lived in the 12th century and played a significant role in the conflicts between the Irish and the Anglo-Norman invaders.
In the 14th century, a Scottish warrior named Roran MacLeod was renowned for his bravery and leadership in defending the Hebrides islands against English and Norwegian forces. His exploits were celebrated in various Scottish bardic tales and legends.
Another historical figure bearing this name was Roran O'Donnell, an Irish chieftain and military leader who lived in the 16th century. He was a prominent figure in the Nine Years' War against English rule in Ireland and is remembered for his successful defense of Donegal against the forces of the English Crown.
While the name Roran has fallen out of common usage in modern times, it remains a significant part of Celtic cultural heritage and serves as a reminder of the rich history and traditions of these ancient peoples.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Roran over time
The chart below shows babies named Roran registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Roran, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2020, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Roran by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Roran 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 | #3848 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4558 | 13 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Roran
- 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
Roran: questions and answers
How popular is the name Roran in the UK right now?
In 2020, Roran was ranked #3848 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Roran most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 4 babies registered as Roran in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Roran?
A Welsh unisex name meaning "great or mighty champion".
How many people are called Roran in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Roran across the 5 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.