Find out how popular the first name Rona has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rona by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rona is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Rona.

The history of the first name Rona

The name Rona is believed to have originated from the Scottish Gaelic language, derived from the word "ruan," which means "brown" or "reddish-brown." It is thought to have been used as a descriptive name for individuals with reddish-brown hair or complexion.

The earliest known use of the name Rona dates back to the 16th century in Scotland. One of the earliest recorded instances was Rona MacLeod, a woman from the Scottish Highlands in the late 1500s. Records indicate that she was a prominent figure in her local community.

In the 17th century, the name Rona appeared in various Scottish historical records and documents. One notable example is Rona MacDonald, born in 1632, who was a prominent landowner and chieftain of the MacDonald clan in the Scottish Highlands.

The name Rona gained wider recognition in the 19th century, when it appeared in several works of literature. One example is the character Rona Macdonald in the novel "The Princess of Thule" by William Black, published in 1873. This novel helped popularize the name among English-speaking audiences.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the first name Rona. One such person was Rona Munro, a Scottish playwright and screenwriter born in 1959. Her notable works include the play "Iron" and the screenplay for the film "Ladybird, Ladybird."

Another notable figure was Rona Jaffe, an American novelist and playwright born in 1931. She is best known for her bestselling novel "The Best of Everything," which explored the lives of working women in New York City in the 1950s.

In the field of sports, Rona Mackenzie was a Scottish golfer born in 1901. She won the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship in 1926 and was a prominent figure in Scottish golf during the early 20th century.

Additionally, Rona Findlay was a Scottish artist and sculptor born in 1905. She was known for her works in bronze and her sculptures can be found in various public spaces throughout Scotland.

Lastly, Rona Hartfield was a British actress born in 1938. She had a successful career in television and film, appearing in popular shows such as "Doctor Who" and "Coronation Street."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rona was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rona, please contact us.

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