Ronald

[Redblackcar2]

Thoughts on this please?

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

Interesting thread.

I think the McDonald connection has killed it for a lot of people, but it's not my connection, so I like it as a name.

My Grandad was Ronald, but everyone knew him as Ron, which I think is a good, solid name. He was also movie-star handsome in his prime.

The problem with 'good, solid' names, is that that's not where the current vibe is for boys' names. Too many people are still caught up in the other end of the spectrum; cheeky chappy names - Alfie, Archie, Charlie, Harry, etc.

I'd say you're just ahead of the curve. If you like it, go for it. The Archie, Alfie names are definitely on their way out.

Also, a thought re a similar name... Donald.

Of you ask people about Donald, they'll inevitably say, 'no way, don't do it', 'Donald Duck', etc, etc, etc.

But, Don Draper (the real one, not moi ) has added a whole lot of caché to that name, or the abbreviation of it, at least. And it also goes to show that once someone (in this case your old child) comes to own the name, any other associations go by the wayside.

Sorry for the essay, but just something to think about.

[rockybalboa]

McDonald. Sorry...

[PeriodMath]

DH calls his erection a Ronnie.

[fussychica]

Hate it. FILs name - enough said!

[Lovemynailstoday]

The Ranald I knew was very classy and very handsome, so it has good connotations for me!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Grange Hill Roland :)

Ranald sounds like a baddie's name to me.

[Anjou]

I'm usually not bothered by associations/connotations of a name but I agree with other posters; McDonald, Reagan, Kray & I'll throw 'The Two...' In there for good measure. Not good!

Aside from that, it's just not a nice sound. I agree that Ranald is much nicer (nn Ran could be quite cool?). Roland to me should only be preceded by "oh come on ..." a la Grange Hill in the mid eighties. Roald is the nicest one in my opinion!

[Maud2011]

Lovemynailstoday (and I could do with taking your advice) - How weird is that, Ranald is actually a lovely name. I did hear it long ago but had forgotten all about it. What a difference a vowel can make!

[Lovemynailstoday]

I knew a Ranald once and always liked the name.

[exoticfruits]

No

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Noooooo

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Nowt wrong with Ron Weasley though. :)

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Ronald = hideous
Roland = brilliant :)

[Rhubarbgarden]

MacDonald or Reagan. No.

Gobbolino's suggestion of Roald is v good though.

[Zzzzmarchhare]

I like it-I think in a few years time it will be back in fashion/ be considered cool. Looks like I'm the only one though.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

I'm not keen. If you must, would you consider Roald?

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

Unless you are Scottish or a snooker fan, I wouldn't.

[squoosh]

Ronald is a truly awful name.

You have plenty of time to punish your child when they're a stroppy teen, please don't punish them with this name!

[polkadotsrock]

I don't particularly like it, or any possible variations. Sorry.
But I will always caveat by saying that if you like it, then by all means use it, (but perhaps provide him with a middle name that is less 'marmite' just in case he's not a fan either)

[Penny6Pence]

Ronny (with a y) is a name in its own right.

[MavisSnapdragon]

Ronald McDonald House, Ron Weasley. No. Terrible. What about Vincent? Shortened to Vinnie, it has a similar feel but is a much cooler name imo.

[dreamingofsun]

i know of a ronnie. so you could use that for every day....which i think is lovely. well known, but not regularly used

[CoolStoryBro]

I like it, although I would worry it would get shortened to Ron which is up there with Brian as names unlikely to be revived.

[DramaAlpaca]

Ronald, Rodney, Reginald, Ralph...

Awful, all of them.

Don't do it.

[EleanorFarjeon]

NO!