The nameRonan

Ronan is a boy's name of Irish and Breton origin meaning "little seal". The name of several Celtic saints, it is popular in Ireland, Brittany and the United States.

Meaning

Ronan comes from the Irish rón, "seal", with a diminutive ending: "little seal".

Origin

Irish and Breton. Saint Ronan, an Irish monk of the 5th or 6th century, settled in Brittany at Locronan.

History

Ronan Keating, singer of Boyzone, made it known in the 1990s. It is in the American top 260.

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Famous people named Ronan

Popularity of the name Ronan

Ronan in the United States

257thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2024peak year (1,387 births)
19,500babies named Ronan in the United States since 1880
06941,387 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Ronan was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 9,208 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Ronan. Its rise began around 2000, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Ronan in the United States were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,287 births a year.

Ronan in the United Kingdom

150thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
1999peak year (447 births)
7,129babies named Ronan in the United Kingdom since 1997
0224447 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Ronan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 2,174 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Ronan. Half of all babies named Ronan in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 327 births a year on average, against 245 in the five years before.

Ronan in Ireland

70thmost popular boys' name in Ireland in 2025
1980peak year (356 births)
10,334babies named Ronan in Ireland since 1964
0178356 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Ronan in France

1262ndmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures
1979peak year (425 births)
16,195babies named Ronan in France since 1900
0213425 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Sibling names for Ronan

Names from the same generation as Ronan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Ronan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Ronan with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Ronan side by side with the name of your choice.

Ronan in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ronan mean?

Ronan comes from the Irish rón, "seal", with a diminutive ending: "little seal".

What is the origin of the name Ronan?

Irish and Breton. Saint Ronan, an Irish monk of the 5th or 6th century, settled in Brittany at Locronan.

Is Ronan a girl's or a boy's name?

Ronan is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Ronan?

In 2024, Ronan was the 257th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,370 births.

What are good sibling names for Ronan?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Norah, Nora, Zara and Lucille for a sister, Sullivan, Finn, Elliott and Ellis for a brother.

Who are famous people named Ronan?

Saint Ronan; Ronan Keating, singer; Saoirse Ronan, actress (surname); Ronan Farrow, journalist.