Find out how popular the first name Ronin has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ronin by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Ronin is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Ronin being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 638 male babies and 7 female babies born with the name Ronin.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 7 baby girls were named Ronin in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Ronin

The name Ronin has its origins in Japanese culture and is derived from the word "ronin," which refers to a samurai warrior who has no lord or master. This term dates back to the feudal era of Japan, around the 12th to 19th centuries.

Ronin were highly skilled and honorable warriors who, due to various circumstances, found themselves without a lord to serve. They often wandered from place to place, offering their services as hired swords or bodyguards. The life of a ronin was challenging, as they faced social stigma and financial hardships.

The earliest known historical reference to the term "ronin" can be traced back to the 12th century, during the Genpei War between the Minamoto and Taira clans. After the war, many samurai found themselves masterless and became ronin. The concept of the ronin became deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and has been portrayed in various literary works, such as the famous novel "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa.

One of the most notable ronin in history is Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), a renowned swordsman and author of the influential book "The Book of Five Rings." Musashi was a ronin for a significant part of his life and is celebrated for his mastery of swordsmanship and strategy.

Another famous ronin was Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659-1719), who served as a samurai under the Nabeshima clan. After the death of his lord, he became a ronin and later wrote the influential book "Hagakure," which outlined the principles and code of conduct for samurai warriors.

In the late 16th century, a group of 47 ronin, led by Oishi Yoshio (1659-1703), carried out one of the most famous acts of revenge in Japanese history. After their lord was wrongfully forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide), they plotted and executed a daring raid to avenge his death, becoming known as the "Forty-Seven Ronin."

The name Ronin has also been associated with individuals who embrace a lifestyle of independence and self-reliance, much like the wandering samurai warriors of old. It has become a popular name in modern times, particularly among those with an interest in Japanese culture and the samurai tradition.

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 Ronin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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