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Name of the Day: Reginald

September 21, 2009 By appellationmountain 9 Comments

Nowadays, romantic hero names like Tristan and Orlando are all but mainstream for boys. Even Romeo is on the rise. So how ’bout this parfait gentil knight?

Thanks to Nicole for suggesting the noble Reginald as Name of the Day.

The most famous Reginald was, indeed, a chivalrous knight of old.

Also recorded as Raynald, Reynaud, Renaud, Reynold and Renald, Reginald of Chastillon lived in the 1100s. Part of the Second Crusade to the Holy Land, Reginald managed to rule briefly as Prince of Antioch and later as Lord of Oultrejordain. Both of his titles were held through marriage – the first to Constance of Antioch, the second to Etienette of Milly. By all accounts, Reginald was quite the adventurer – leading to seventeen years in a Turkish prison.

While Reginald was no John or William, plenty of men wore the name in Norman England. Germanic in origin, he comes from the elements ragin – advice and wald – ruler. The Normans brought French variants with them; Old Norse versions like Rognavaldr were already in use.

The same elements also led to Ronald. In the 1950s and 60s, twin brothers Reginald and Ronald Kray hobknobbed with Sinatra in their London nightclubs. Behind the scenes, they were criminal masterminds who eventually ended their days in prison.

There’s also the tenth century Saint Reinold – again, spellings abound, and he was Latinized as Reginaldus. He may’ve been descended from Charlemagne himself – at least that’s what translator and publisher William Caxton suggested in the fifteenth century.

Some of the most notable Reginalds are best known by another name:

  • PG Wodehouse’s fictional manservant Jeeves rarely answered to his first name;
  • On HBO’s The Wire, Reginald is the real name of drug addict Bubbles;
  • Elton John was born Reginald Dwight;
  • Rapper Redman was born Reginald Noble.

Reginald has a decidedly athletic tone, thanks to the legions of NFL, NBA and MLB players who have answered to Reggie.

There’s Mr. October – baseball hall-of-famer Reggie Jackson. With the Oakland A’s, he helped win three World Series before joining the New York Yankees to score two more. And let’s not forget the Minister of Defense, NFL hall-of-famer Reggie White, celebrated defensive end and an ordained minister.

Despite Reginald’s medieval vibe, he actually peaked in 1968, well before White and Jackson achieved renown. It’s tough to find an explanation for why Reginald reached #118 that year, but call him a classic anyhow – Reginald has appeared in the US Top 1000 since 1880.

Today he stands at #557, possibly maintaining his place in part thanks to all those proud papas eager to hand down their name. And therein lies Reginald’s problem. Instead of a daring rediscovery a la Orlando, Reginald feels a little bit like naming your kiddo Jeffrey or Scott. Nothing wrong with the name. But you’ve probably met a Reg, and he’s probably thirty, forty or more.

But if you’re a decade or more away from christening your firstborn? Reginald could be just the classic to keep in mind.

More names you might like:

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  • Name of the Day: TristanName of the Day: Tristan

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Comments

  1. photoquilty says

    September 22, 2009 at 7:58 PM

    I think it’s the -ald ending of names like Ronald, Reginald, Donald, Archibald, etc. that thoroughly turns me off. That said, my favorite professor when I was in school was Reg McKnight. I wouldn’t use the name, but it reminds me of good times.

    Reply
  2. charlottevera says

    September 22, 2009 at 2:18 AM

    I like Reginald — it has the “ald” ending in it without the “bald” of Archibald or the Happy Meal rhym-i-ness of Ronald and Donald.

    However, my first thought when I saw this name? Reggie Mantle. And that guy’s just such a twerp.

    Reply
  3. shay120 says

    September 22, 2009 at 12:59 AM

    I think Reginald would be quite refreshing on a child. Its not a name I’d use personally. I agree that Josephine, Genevieve and Reginald make an awesome sibset.

    Reply
  4. appellationmountain says

    September 22, 2009 at 12:31 AM

    JNE, it is possible – even likely – that the spelling Reginald stuck because of similarity to the Latin regina. So you’re not wrong, it’s just one of those after-the-fact associations that influenced spelling.

    And Eva, I love Ron Weasley, so I know what you mean about Ronald!

    Reply
  5. nmp233 says

    September 22, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    This name is a current compromise between my husband’s sports themed names (Constantino and Derek…Yes, he is a Yankees fan) and my love of softer sounding names (Sebastien and Dashiell). It also complements our daughters’ names (Josephine and Genevieve) nicely. It just might have some staying power on our list of potential names. Thanks for covering Reginald for me! ~Nicole

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      September 22, 2009 at 12:36 AM

      You’re welcome, Nicole – and Genevieve, Josephine and Reginald are QUITE an attractive sibset.

      Too bad he doesn’t like Dashiell – what a GREAT name.

      Reply
    • blissfully caffeinated says

      September 23, 2009 at 2:10 AM

      Love, love, love your daughter’s names. Gorgeous! I agree, too bad about Dashiell. It’s such a great name and even my sports fanatic husband liked it when we were tossing around boy names (before the ultrasound) because the nickname is Dash. He thought it sounded really baseball-y and fast.

      Reply
  6. JNE says

    September 21, 2009 at 11:21 PM

    Reginald is not for me, however, I think he’s quite nice for someone else. I especially dig Reggie. My one potential reservation was (my misconception) that the Regi- was derived from “regis” – and I don’t really like the names of royal type (Duke, Prince, etc.)… but as that turns out to be completely in my head, it makes it a non-issue. My personal take on Reginald is that it’s got a lot more flavor than Jeffrey and Scott.

    Reply
  7. Eva says

    September 21, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    I like Reginald, although it’s not one I would personally use. I think it sounds nice in the middle slot. On That 70’s Show, the fathers name was Reginald but he always went by Red. I think the nickname Red will make it more appealing to others, since color names are pretty hot right now.

    I personally prefer Ronald. I love it’s quirky but dignified vibe.

    Reply

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