Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Roel
Roel
β Boy
Pronounced ROHL /roΚl/High
Meaning: famous rulerMedium
In 30 seconds: Roel is a Dutch short form of Roland meaning famous ruler. A clean one-syllable name with Dutch heritage and the strength of Roland's legendary legacy.
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Meaningfamous ruler
U.S. rank (2025)#2510 β Falling
2025 U.S. births54 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)β 4,712
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
Roel is the Dutch/Flemish short form of Roeland (Roland), from Germanic hroth (fame) + wald (ruler), meaning famous ruler.
Roel is popular in the Netherlands, Belgium, and among Dutch diaspora communities.
Did you know? The Song of Roland (La Chanson de Roland, c. 1100) is the oldest surviving major work of French literature β telling the tale of the legendary knight Roland who died heroically at Roncevaux Pass.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name: Roel β name etymology referenceUS Social Security Name Database β U.S. popularity data
Variations
RolandRoelandRoly
Nicknames
Ro
Famous Bearers
- β
Roel van Velzen (1978-)Dutch singer-songwriter performing as VanVelzen
- β
Roel ReinΓ© (1970-)Dutch film director known for action sequels and Dutch television
If you like Roelβ¦
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Frequently Asked
What does Roel mean?
Roel means famous ruler.
How do you pronounce Roel?
Roel is pronounced ROHL (/roΚl/), with 1 syllable.
Is Roel a boy's name?
Yes, Roel is used as a boy's name.
How popular is the name Roel?
Dutch form of Roland; famous ruler meaning via hroth+wald well established.