Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Roald
Roald
How to Pronounce Roald
Pronounced ROH-ahl /ΛroΚΙΛl/Medium
Meaning: Roald is a Norwegian name from the Old Norse Hrodvaldr, combining hrod, 'fame,' with valdr, 'ruler,' to mean 'famous ruler.' It is a genuine Scandinavian heritage name, well known through several distinguished Norwegian bearers.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Roald comes from the Old Norse Hrodvaldr, 'famous ruler,' and is a classic Norwegian name. In the United States it appears chiefly among Norwegian immigrant families in the early twentieth century, carried in the wider world by the explorer Roald Amundsen and the writer Roald Dahl.
Roald was never common in the United States, given to only about twenty boys a year even at its peak in the late nineteen-twenties, largely within Norwegian American communities. A boy named Roald then would be a great-grandfather today.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Roald Amundsen (1872-1928)Norwegian polar explorer, first to reach the South Pole
- β
Roald Dahl (1916-1990)British author of beloved children's books, of Norwegian descent
If you like Roaldβ¦
Explore names like Roald
Frequently Asked
What does the name Roald mean?
It is a Norwegian name from the Old Norse Hrodvaldr, meaning 'famous ruler.'
How do you pronounce Roald?
It is said ROH-ahl /ΛroΚΙΛl/, two syllables with the stress on the first.
Is Roald a boy or girl name?
Roald is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Roald?
It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about twenty boys a year even at its peak in the late nineteen-twenties.