Reginald

Meaning of Reginald

Reginald, pronounced REJ-uh-nawld /ˈrɛdʒ.nəld/, descends from the Old High German Raginald—raʒin signifying “counsel” and wald signifying “rule”—a compound that medieval Europe prized for the implication of sagacious authority; imported to England by the Normans, the name insinuated itself into Anglo-Norman charters and, over the centuries, yielded familiar diminutives such as Reggie and, in heraldic circles, Rex. Its bearers range from Saint Reginald of Orléans, who assisted in shaping early Dominican scholarship, to modern cultural figures like the composer-performer Reginald Dwight—universally known as Elton John—each reinforcing an association with learned influence rather than fleeting fashion. American vital-statistics trace a steady crest during the first half of the twentieth century, a mid-century plateau, and a measured decline to today’s ranking near the mid-700s, a pattern that positions the name as concurrently recognizable and uncommon. Consequently, for contemporary parents, Reginald offers a synthesis of historical gravitas and moderate exclusivity—a choice that confers on its bearer the subtle aura of considered leadership embedded in its etymological roots.