Rhonna
An Anglicized feminine form of Rhona, a Scottish name derived from Gaelic meaning a "rougher".
Name Census estimates that about 124 living Americans carry the first name Rhonna. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Rhonna today is around 64 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Rhonna births was 1955 (15 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Rhonna. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
124
~ 1 in 2,764,148 Americans
Peak year
1955
15 babies that year
Average age
64
years old
1980 SSA rank
#11,698
Tracked since 1946
Popularity
Rhonna: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Rhonna from the 1940s through to the 1980s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 75 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rhonna by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Rhonna during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Rhonnas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Rhonna
The given name Rhonna has its origins in the Welsh language, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Welsh word "rhonnen," meaning a spinning wheel or distaff, symbolizing industriousness and diligence.
Interestingly, the name Rhonna appears to have been more prevalent in certain regions of Wales, particularly in the southern counties, where it held cultural significance. Some scholars suggest that the name may have been associated with certain Welsh clans or families, although concrete historical records are scarce.
The earliest documented reference to the name Rhonna can be traced back to the 14th century, where it was recorded in a Welsh genealogical record, albeit with a slightly different spelling variation, "Rhonwen." This document mentions a woman named Rhonwen ferch Rhys, who lived in Pembrokeshire during that time period.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Rhonna. One such person was Rhonna Goch (c. 1520-1585), a Welsh noblewoman known for her involvement in local politics and her patronage of the arts. She was a prominent figure in the cultural renaissance of Wales during the 16th century.
Another historically significant Rhonna was Rhonna Jones (1727-1798), a Welsh writer and poet who contributed significantly to the preservation of Welsh literature and language. Her works, including poetry collections and essays, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime and influenced subsequent generations of Welsh writers.
In the realm of religion, Rhonna Lloyd (1839-1914) was a renowned Welsh nun who dedicated her life to charitable works and the establishment of orphanages in Wales. Her selfless efforts earned her widespread admiration, and she is still revered by many in the Welsh community.
Moving into the modern era, Rhonna Fenwick (1923-2008) was a Welsh actress and stage performer who gained recognition for her roles in several British television series and films. Her versatile acting skills and dedication to her craft made her a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Lastly, Rhonna Byrne (born 1945) is a contemporary Australian author and motivational speaker best known for her book "The Secret," which became an international bestseller and sparked a significant interest in the law of attraction and positive thinking.
People
Rhonna + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Rhonna as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Rhonna: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Rhonna?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 124 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Rhonna going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,764,148 US residents.
Is Rhonna a common name?
We classify Rhonna as "Very Rare". It ranks above 67.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 159 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Rhonna most popular?
The single biggest year for Rhonna was 1955, when 15 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Rhonna is about 64 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Rhonna a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Rhonna in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.