Reginald is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Latin name Reginaldus, which was composed of two elements: "reg" meaning "power" or "king," and "naldus," meaning "bold." Thus, the name Reginald means "bold power" or "bold king."
The name Reginald has a long history in English-speaking countries. It was first used during the Middle Ages as a Norman French personal name brought to England by the Normans after their conquest of England in 1066. The name quickly became popular among the nobility and was often passed down through generations.
One of the most famous bearers of the name Reginald was Saint Reginald, also known as Saint Reginald of Montbard (c. 1025-1096). He was a French nobleman who became a Cistercian monk and later served as the third abbot of Cîteaux Abbey in Burgundy. Saint Reginald is honored as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
The name Reginald has also been used in literature throughout history. In William Shakespeare's play "Henry VI, Part 3," there is a character named Sir Reginald de Vaux. Additionally, the name was used for characters in works such as Sir Walter Scott's novel "Ivanhoe" and George du Maurier's novel "Trilby."
In recent years, the name Reginald has seen somewhat of a resurgence in popularity. While it may not be as common as some other names, it remains a distinctive choice with a rich history and meaningful origin. Overall, Reginald is an attractive option for parents seeking a unique yet classic name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Reginald has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States.
The name first appeared with 7 births in 1920 and maintained a steady presence until the 1940s when it dipped slightly. However, from the 1950s onwards, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Reginald. The peak was reached in the mid-1960s with the highest number of births per year being recorded between 1967 and 1968 (33 and 23 births respectively).
After this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline again. By the 1970s, the annual number of Reginald births was fluctuating around an average of 20 per year. This trend continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with the last recorded data showing only 5 births in 1994.
Overall, while Reginald was a popular name in the mid-20th century, particularly between the late 1950s and mid-1960s, its popularity has since declined. As of 1994, it had become quite uncommon with only a handful of babies being named Reginald each year.