Ronin Boy

Popularity: #455 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ROH-nin //ˈroʊ.nɪn//

Origin: Japanese; Irish

Meaning: Japanese: warrior; Irish: descendant of the champion

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ronin has its roots in the Japanese language, where it is derived from the term "ronin" (浪人), which literally means "wave man." This term historically referred to a samurai without a lord or master, particularly during the feudal period in Japan. The etymology can be traced back to the kanji characters "浪" (ro) meaning "wave" and "人" (nin) meaning "person." The concept of a ronin emerged prominently during the Edo period (1603-1868), when social upheaval and changes in the samurai class structure led to many warriors becoming masterless due to the death of their lords or the end of their service.

Historically, ronin were often depicted in literature and folklore, embodying themes of honor, loyalty, and the struggle for identity. One of the most famous stories involving ronin is that of the Forty-seven Ronin, which occurred in the early 18th century.

This tale, which has been retold in various forms of Japanese art and literature, centers on a group of samurai who avenged their lord's death, ultimately sacrificing their own lives in the process. This narrative has had a lasting impact on Japanese culture, symbolizing the virtues of loyalty and sacrifice.

Culturally, the figure of the ronin resonates with notions of individualism and the quest for personal honor, often portrayed as a wandering warrior seeking purpose. The name has also found its way into modern contexts, symbolizing a free spirit or an independent individual.

While the term has historical significance, it has also been embraced in various forms of media, including films and literature, where the ronin archetype continues to captivate audiences. The name Ronin, therefore, carries with it a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance, embodying the complexities of loyalty, honor, and the search for identity.

Fictional characters named Ronin

The following list of fictional characters named Ronin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Ronin is a fictional character from the comic book series Ronin. He is a skilled warrior navigating a dystopian future while seeking vengeance for his master's death.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ronin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ronin was first seen in the United States in 1998.

Ronin has ranked as high as #772 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Washington, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Ronin has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ronin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ronin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ronin.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 617 600 17
2024 637 624 13
2023 648 641 7
2022 775 758 17
2021 732 710 22
2020 813 790 23
2019 669 650 19
2018 673 656 17
2017 578 563 15
2016 601 590 11
2015 614 606 8
2014 506 497 9
2013 296 291 5
2012 303 298 5
2011 282 274 8
2010 249 249 0
2009 283 273 10
2008 280 274 6
2007 205 200 5
2006 188 183 5
2005 115 115 0
2004 107 107 0
2003 73 73 0
2002 59 59 0
2001 55 55 0
2000 61 61 0
1999 65 65 0
1998 10 10 0

Top States for Ronin (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 82
14%
TX 45
8%
OH 33
6%
FL 28
5%
PA 24
4%
MI 23
4%
NC 22
4%
TN 19
3%
NY 18
3%
GA 17
3%
UT 17
3%
WA 17
3%
IL 17
3%
MO 17
3%
AZ 15
3%
MD 14
2%
MN 14
2%
OR 14
2%
IN 13
2%
CO 12
2%
MA 11
2%
WI 11
2%
SC 11
2%
OK 10
2%
LA 9
2%
VA 9
2%
AL 9
2%
NM 8
1%
NV 7
1%
IA 7
1%
WV 7
1%
KS 7
1%
HI 6
1%
ID 6
1%
AK 5
1%
NE 5
1%