Ronald \r(o)-na-ld\ as a boy's name is pronounced RAH-nald. It is of Old Norse origin, and the meaning of Ronald is "ruler's counselor". Also possibly from the same root as Reginald and Reynold. Ronald emerged among the Scots, and was not widely used in the rest of the English-speaking world until the end of the 19th century. Ranald is a Scottish form, Ronaldo is Spanish. American President Ronald Reagan; clown Ronald McDonald.

Ronald has 12 variant forms: Ranald, Renaldo, Ron, Ronal, Ronaldo, Rondale, Roneld, Ronell, Ronello, Ronn, Ronnie and Ronny.

Baby names that sound like Ronald are Rinaldo, Reinald, Raynald, Renauld and Reynald.