Rónán

Rónán, anglicised as Ronan, is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin. The name has several meanings such as 'little seal', 'a pledge', and 'a promising oath'. A short variant of the name could be Rory.

This article is about the Irish name. For other uses, see Ronan (disambiguation).

Ronan
Pronunciation/ˈroʊnən/ ROH-nən
GenderMale
Origin
Meaning"little seal", a pledge, a promising oath
Region of originIreland, Brittany
Other names
Related namesRonen, Ronin

The name is derived from a very old legend, which tells the story of a mother seal who is warned never to stray too close to the land. When the seal is swept ashore by a huge wave, she becomes trapped in a human form, known as a "Selkie" or "seal maiden". Although she lives as the wife of a fisherman and bears him children, known as "ronans" or "little seals", she never quite loses her "sea-longing". Eventually she finds the "seal-skin" which the fisherman has hidden and slips back into the ocean. However, she cannot forget her husband and children and can be seen swimming close to the shore, keeping a watchful and loving eye on them.[1]

Popularity

Ireland

In 2021, Ronan was the 40th most popular boy name in Ireland.

United Kingdom

In Northern Ireland, Ronan has been the 20th most popular boy name, alongside Darragh and Ethan.

Since 2020, Ronan has had an increase in popularity in England, Scotland and Wales by 31%, Brodie, with 28%, Rory having 51% and Cillian with 70%.

United States

As of 2021, Ronan is the 229th most popular boy name in the United States, and it's been growing in numbers since then.

Saints

There are twelve Irish saints bearing the name of Ronan commemorated in the Martyrology of Donegal:[2] These include:

  • Ronan of Locronan, a c. 6th century Irish pilgrim saint and hermit in western Brittany
  • Rónán Mac Bearaigh (died 665), founder of Druim Inesclainn (Drumshallon) (see Féchín of Fore).
  • Rónán of Ulster, brother of St. Carnech, and grandson of Loarn, died 11 January 535.
  • Rónán Fionn is honoured as patron of Lan Ronan (Kelminiog) in Iveagh. His feast is celebrated on 22 May, both in Ireland and Scotland.
  • Rónán of Iona is explicitly referred to by Bede in the controversy with his countryman St Finan of Lindisfarne, Bishop of Lindisfarne, 660. This controversy, on the calculation of the date of Easter, was ended at the Synod of Whitby, in 664, when Rónán's views were upheld. This is the saint referred to in the title of Sir Walter Scott's book, Saint Ronan's Well. Scott's St. Ronan was a Celtic monk, Bishop of Kilmaronen, who advocated the use of the Roman rather than Celtic manner. This St Rónán is also the patron saint of the Scottish town of Innerleithen.
  • Rónán of Lismore was a successor of St. Carthage, and several Munster churches were built in his honour. His feast is celebrated on 9 February 763.
  • Another saint of this name is best known by the ruined church of Kilronan (Irish Cill Rónáin), Co. Roscommon, where Turlogh O'Carolan and Bishop O'Rourke are buried.

People with the given name

People with the surname

Fictional characters

See also
  • Ronon Dex, a fictional character in the Stargate Atlantis television series

References
  1. "Irish baby names meanings - List of unique and unusual Irish names for your baby girl or boy". 8 May 2021.
  2. "St. Ronan".
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