Ron

Norse
"ruler's counselor"

Ron Origin and Meaning

The name Ron is a boy's name.

Ron is a masculine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a shortened form of longer names like Ronald, Aaron, or Byron. Ronald, its most common source, derives from the Old Norse 'Rögnvaldr,' meaning 'ruler's advisor' or 'decision maker.' Ron gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1940s through the 1970s. Its brevity exemplifies the trend toward shorter, more direct masculine names. The name projects a straightforward, unpretentious quality that has helped it transcend generations. While its peak popularity has passed, Ron maintains steady usage and recognition across English-speaking countries. Notable bearers include actors Ron Howard and Ron Perlman, and more recently, the character Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series has kept the name familiar to younger generations.

# 985 in the US

Ron Rank in US Top 1000

Popularity of the name Ron

Famous People Named Ron

  • Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul
    former U.S. Congressman from Texas
  • Ronald William "Ron" Howard
    American actor and director
  • Ronald Jason "Ron" Eldard
    American actor
  • Ron Carter
    American jazz double bassist
  • Ronald Prescott "Ron" Reagan
    American radio host; son of U.S. President Ronald Reagan
  • Lafayette Ronald "L. Ron" Hubbard
    American author and founder of Scientology

The name Ron in Pop Culture

  • Ron Stoppable
    character on animated series "Kim Possible"
  • Ron Weasley
    character in the "Harry Potter" series
  • Ron DeLite
    character in video game 'Ace Attorney'
  • Ron Swanson
    character in TV show "Parks and Recreation"
  • Ron Burgundy
    main character in the "Anchorman" movies
  • Ron Anderson
    character on "The Walking Dead"

The name Ron in Nameberry Blog Posts