UK name, mostly boys
Royal
Of English origin, meaning regal, majestic, or belonging to the sovereign.
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 33 girls.
Royal is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Royal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1951, with 12 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 12 births.
This profile covers 94 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2013 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.
Royal is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 93 living people in the UK are called Royal. 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
- • Royal ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 12 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 12 boys were registered as Royal.
- • Royal is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 93 living people in the UK are estimated to have Royal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 74.0% of Royal registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1951
2024
Births in 2024
12
Latest year
Peak year
2024
12 births
Estimated living
93
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Royal
In England and Wales birth records, Royal has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 74.0% of registrations are for boys and 26.0% 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.
Royal registered for boys
- Ranked #1,951 in 2024
- 12 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (12 births)
Royal registered for girls
- Ranked #3,015 in 2024
- 8 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (8 births)
Meaning
What does Royal mean?
The given name Royal has its origins rooted in the Old French word "royal," which can be traced back to the Latin word "regalis," meaning "regal" or "kingly." This name emerged during the medieval period, predominantly used in regions where French culture and language held significant influence.
One of the earliest recorded usages of the name Royal can be found in historical documents from the 13th century, where it was occasionally bestowed upon children born into noble or royal families. This practice emphasized the family's elevated social status and their connection to the monarchy or aristocracy.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Royal, such as Royal Firman Stratton (1784-1857), an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey. Another prominent figure was Royal Huddleston Weller (1804-1876), a prominent American lawyer and politician who served as the 12th Governor of California.
In the realm of literature, Royal Browne (1914-1995) was an American novelist and short story writer known for his works exploring themes of Southern culture and the human condition. Additionally, Royal Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016), also known as Rama IX, was the revered King of Thailand from 1946 until his passing, having reigned for over seven decades.
Moving into the 20th century, Royal Robbins (1935-2017) was an American rock climber and environmentalist, renowned for his pioneering efforts in the sport of rock climbing and his advocacy for wilderness preservation.
Throughout its history, the name Royal has carried connotations of nobility, prestige, and a connection to regal lineages. Its usage has transcended various cultures and societies, reflecting the enduring fascination with monarchical traditions and the aspiration for elevated social status.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Royal over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Royal in England and Wales, from 2013 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 Royal, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 12 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Royal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Royal 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 | #2200 | 49 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3097 | 45 | 7 |
Related
Names similar to Royal
- 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
Royal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Royal in the UK right now?
In 2024, Royal was ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales, with 12 births registered.
When was Royal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 12 babies registered as Royal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Royal?
Of English origin, meaning regal, majestic, or belonging to the sovereign.
How many people are called Royal in the UK?
A total of 94 babies have been registered as Royal across the 12 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.