Reynald is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old Germanic elements "ragin" meaning "advice" or "counsel", and "wulf" which means "wolf". Therefore, Reynald can be translated to mean "wise wolf".
The name Reynald has been in use since the Middle Ages, with several notable historical figures bearing this name. One of the most famous was Reynaud de Châtillon, a French nobleman who lived in the 12th century. He was known for his bravery and was captured by Saladin during the Crusades.
The name Reynald has also been popular among royalty throughout history. King Renaud I of Burgundy was born around 875 AD, and there have been several counts of Flanders with this name, including Reynaud II who ruled in the early 12th century.
In literature, Reynald has appeared as a character in several works. In "The Song of Roland," a medieval French epic poem, Reynald is one of Charlemagne's twelve peers. He also appears as a villain in Walter Scott's novel "Count Robert of Paris."
Today, Reynald remains a relatively uncommon name but continues to be used occasionally, especially in France and other Francophone countries. It may not be as popular as some other names with similar meanings like Reginald or Reynold, but it has its own unique charm and historical significance.
In summary, Reynald is an old Germanic name that means "wise wolf." It has been used by several notable figures throughout history and appears in various works of literature. While not extremely common today, Reynald remains a distinctive and meaningful name choice for parents looking for something with a rich heritage.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Reynald has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1925 and 2008, there were a total of 151 babies named Reynald born in the U.S.
The name's peak popularity occurred in recent decades, with 10 births each in 1983 and 1988, indicating that more parents chose this name for their children during these years compared to others. Interestingly, there were also two periods of increased popularity before this trend: one between 1942 and 1955, with consistently around 5 births per year, and another from 1970 to 1982, with a steady average of about 5 births annually.
However, the name Reynald did not maintain consistent popularity throughout these periods. In some years, such as 1932, 1939, and 1940, there were only 5 births each year. Meanwhile, other years saw even fewer births with this name: for instance, there was just one birth in both 1989 and 1990.
More recently, from 1991 to 2008, Reynald's popularity appears to have declined somewhat, with only five births each year in 1991, 2001, and 2008. Despite these fluctuations, it is clear that the name Reynald has been a part of American naming traditions for several decades, though its popularity has varied considerably over time.