Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Ronan

Ronan (or Rónán) is an Irish masculine name. The name originates from the Gaelic “rón” meaning “seal” combined with the diminutive suffix “-án” to mean “little seal”. According to ancient Celtic mythology, Selkies were seals that lived in the sea but had the shape-shifting ability to shed their skin and walk on land posing as men and women. They were able to come in contact with humans briefly and often are depicted in romantic tragedies. The offspring of a Selkie and a human were called “rónáns” (little seals). Ronan is an ancient name borne by several early Irish saints, most notably Saint Ronan Finn of the 7th century. According to Irish legend, Bishop Ronan was tormented by Suibhne, a king in Ulster. Apparently the pagan king was irritated by the sound of Ronan’s hand bell which he rang as he built his church. Suibhne killed one of Ronan’s monks with a spear and threw another spear at Ronan which ricocheted off his hand bell sparing his life. In retaliation, Ronan cursed the king into madness and prophesized that he would die by the spear as he killed by the spear. Suibhne transformed into a birdman wandering Ireland from tree to tree, exiled, wary and untrusting of all men and utterly mad with fear. Another bishop attempted to save the crazy birdman and gave him over to a parish woman to protect. The woman’s husband grew jealous and killed Suibhne with a spear just as Ronan predicted. The story is known as “The Frenzy of Sweeney” (Sweeney being the anglicized version of Suibhne) and has been a favorite of poets through the ages. There is also another famous Saint Ronan of Locronan (Brittany), for more information on his story, see historic references below. Ronan continues to be a favorite name in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Celtic region of Brittany, France.

All About the Baby Name – Ronan

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME RONAN

The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done.  They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME RONAN

The ancient name Ronan has a very modern history in the United States. The name did not appear on the American male naming charts until this century in 2001. A long favorite among people of Ireland, Americans are only now discovering this Celtic charmer. In the past 10+ years, Ronan has been trending upwards on the charts and is now considered a name used with mild moderation. His sudden appearance on the list of American male names probably owes to the increased interest in Irish or Celtic names. And Ronan is very Irish with ancient roots and rich history. Like Rowan, Donovan or Declan, Ronan is an underused Irish name compared to the American trendy favorites of Aidan, Braden and Connor. If you like Irish male names but want something more unique than the age-old, time-tested Sean, Brian or Patrick, Ronan is a name to consider. Ronan is very Irish and reminds us of Conan (“little wolf”). It’s short, sweet and sensitive, yet strong, confident and handsome – plus it’s loaded with Irish character. We hope this one stays hidden from the masses. It’s just too special to become a victim of fashionable overuse. This “little seal” is a darling choice for water-loving parents.

Quick Facts

ON RONAN

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Celtic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

434

PRONUNCIATION:

RO-nan

SIMPLE MEANING:

Little seal

Characteristics

OF RONAN

Authoritative

Powerful

Tough

Tenacious

Wealthy

Problem-solver

Achiever

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Ronan

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME RONAN

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Ronan

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME RONAN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Ronan


Popular Songs

ON RONAN

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Ronan


Famous People

NAMED RONAN

Ronan Tynan (Irish tenor)
Ronan Keating (Irish singer)
Ronan Rafferty (Irish golfer)
Ronan Parke (English singer)
Ronan O'Gara (Irish rugby player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED RONAN

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Ronan

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME RONAN

Ronan was born in Ireland sometime around the 6th century and was known among his countrymen for his intelligence and piety. Ronan still longed for a simpler, more contemplative religious life and so exiled himself to Brittany to live as a hermit. His voyage landed him in the extreme Northwest region of France (Léon in Brittany) and he journeyed farther southward to Cornouaille (named after settlers from Cornwall in Britain). There Ronan set up hermitage. A local peasant man grew to admire Ronan’s holiness and would often visit the hermit much to the chagrin of his jealous wife. The wife, Keban, protested to the king of Cornouaille that Ronan was an evil sorcerer who shape-shifted into a wolf at night and killed the townspeople’s sheep. She also claimed that Ronan killed and ate her own daughter. The king set Ronan to the test and released his ferocious hounds on the man. Miraculously, the dogs were immediately soothed and calmed by the holy Ronan. Ronan also proclaimed that Keban had actually killed her own daughter by locking her up in the room so small she died of suffocation. After providing the exact location, Ronan’s accusations were proven true and local citizens turned on the lying Keban demanding her death. Not only did Ronan compassionately insist on sparing Keban’s life, he also purportedly resurrected the daughter from her death. After his death, Ronan’s body was interred at his hermitage and the town of Locronan (“place of Ronan”) grew up around his relics. Apparently, his relics also performed miracles and so a cult grew up around him in medieval times. Saint Ronan of Locronan is still an important saint to the people of Brittany and his feast day is June 1.