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.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as REJ-uh-nawld (/ˈrɛdʒ.nəld/)
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Notable People Named Reginald
| Reginald Fessenden was a Canadian American inventor who earned hundreds of patents for his pioneering work in radio and sonar. |
| Reginald Pole was an English cardinal who served as the last Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury from 1556 to 1558. |
| Reginald Hudlin is an American filmmaker and graphic novel writer who led entertainment at BET and co-produced the 88th Academy Awards. |
| Reginald Denny was an English actor and aviator who helped pioneer early drone technology. |
| Reginald Owen was a British actor who appeared in many films and television shows on both sides of the Atlantic. |
| Reginald VelJohnson is an American actor best known for playing police officers, including Sergeant Al Powell in Die Hard and Carl Winslow on the sitcom Family Matters. |
| Reginald D. Hunter - Reginald Hunter is an American comedian who made his name performing in the United Kingdom. |
| Reginald Rose was an American playwright and screenwriter whose realistic dramas on controversial social and political issues shaped the anthology programs of the 1950s. |
| Reginald Innes Pocock was a British zoologist at London's Natural History Museum who became a leading expert on arachnids and myriapods and helped pioneer new ways of classifying mammals. |
| Sir Reginald Hoare was a British diplomat and banker. |
| Reginald Berkeley was a British lawyer and Liberal politician who went on to write stage and radio plays before becoming a Hollywood screenwriter. |
| Reginald I of Dammartin - Reginald I was a medieval French nobleman who became Count of Boulogne in 1190 and later also ruled Dammartin and Aumale. |
