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Reginald Boy

Popularity: #748 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationREJ-uh-nuhld / /ˈrɛdʒ.ɪ.nəld/

Latin; Old German

Meaning

Latin: 'counsel power'; Old German: 'ruler's advisor'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Reginald has its roots in the Old High German name "Reginhwald," which is composed of the elements "regin," meaning "counsel" or "advice," and "wald," meaning "rule" or "power." This name evolved into the Latin form "Reginaldus" during the early medieval period, which was then adopted into Old French as "Reginald." The transition into English occurred after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Norman names were introduced into the English lexicon, leading to the widespread use of Reginald in England by the 12th century.

Historically, the name Reginald has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Reginald, a 9th-century bishop of the Diocese of Soissons, who was venerated in both France and England. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents throughout the Middle Ages, often associated with nobility and clergy. One significant milestone is its appearance in the 14th century, when it was used by several English nobles, further solidifying its status in the aristocracy. The name was also included in the King James Bible, which was published in 1611, although it does not appear in the original biblical texts.

Culturally, Reginald has been associated with leadership and wisdom due to its etymological roots. The name has often been linked to figures of authority and governance, reflecting the qualities of counsel and power. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Reggie" have emerged, although they are more modern adaptations. The endurance of the name Reginald throughout centuries can be attributed to its strong historical associations and the qualities it embodies, making it a name of significance in various cultural contexts.

Trend Summary

Reginald has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline in usage since the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Reggie
  • Reg
  • Regis

International Variants

  • Reginaldo (Spanish)
  • Rinaldo (Italian)
  • Régnier (French)

Famous people named Reginald

Reginald D. Hunter is a comedian best known for his stand-up specials and appearances on BBC's Have I Got News for You.

Reginald VelJohnson is an actor best known for his roles in Family Matters and Die Hard.

Reginald Arvizu is a musician best known as the bassist for the band Korn.

Fictional characters named Reginald

Reginald is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. He is a nobleman who plays a significant role in the political intrigue of the story.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Reginald was first seen in the United States in 1880. Reginald has ranked as high as #282 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in New York, North Carolina, Georgia, California, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Reginald has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Reginald (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 16
14%
TX 13
12%
FL 10
9%
TN 10
9%
AL 10
9%
GA 8
7%
MI 8
7%
NY 6
5%
IN 6
5%
NC 6
5%
IL 5
4%
VA 5
4%
MN 5
4%
MO 5
4%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188014
188112
18827
188312
188416
188516
188615
188711
188814
188914
189019
189122
189224
189323
189422
189526
189630
189718
189822
189925
190027
190131
190243
190348
190440
190553
190647
190747
190847
190956
191059
191186
1912134
1913180
1914200
1915244
1916243
1917261
1918278
1919244
1920274
1921271
1922283
1923335
1924348
1925429
1926475
1927446
1928401
1929437
1930424
1931423
1932375
1933341
1934375
1935350
1936375
1937389
1938409
1939403
1940514
1941530
1942632
1943613
1944567
1945587
1946719
1947896
1948941
19491,092
19501,297
19511,466
19521,494
19531,640
19541,812
19552,075
19562,223
19572,418
19582,492
19592,421
19602,442
19612,469
19622,646
19632,571
19642,619
19652,469
19662,330
19672,402
19682,552
19692,422
19702,307
19712,115
19721,912
19731,630
19741,610
19751,499
19761,427
19771,521
19781,515
19791,655
19801,480
19811,409
19821,378
19831,268
19841,336
19851,312
19861,350
19871,336
19881,333
19891,298
19901,284
19911,276
19921,230
19931,143
1994929
1995863
1996818
1997763
1998736
1999682
2000700
2001567
2002583
2003531
2004502
2005494
2006500
2007493
2008472
2009429
2010403
2011359
2012360
2013351
2014285
2015253
2016278
2017263
2018267
2019249
2020216
2021211
2022207
2023192
2024176