Meaning: Of the king; regal; from Old French roial (kingly, royal), from Latin regalis (of the king, from rex: king)High
In 30 seconds: A title word-name meaning 'of the king' or 'regal,' from Latin rex (king) via Old French roial. One of the most aspirational concept names — naming a child for the idea of royalty itself.
MeaningOf the king; regal; from Old French roial (kingly, royal), from Latin regalis (of the king, from rex: king)
U.S. rank (2024)#1225 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births192 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,190
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Royal is an English title word from Old French roial (kingly), from Latin regalis (of the king). As a given name it is a modern American concept name, similar to King, Prince, and Reign, used for both boys and girls.
Royal ranked #1225 for girls in 2024. It also charts for boys.
Did you know? Latin rex (king) gave English 'regal,' 'reign,' 'royal,' 'regulate,' and 'rector' — all from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to move in a straight line' (the idea being that a king is someone who rules by putting things in order).
Overall data confidence 96%
U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
RoyaleRoyall
Nicknames
Roy
Famous Bearers
Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Royal…
Reign— royalty concept name in the same aspirational tradition
King— title name with the same regal aspirational quality
Prince— royalty title name in the same naming category
Queenie— royalty-adjacent name with the same regal character
Noble— virtue/title name with the same elevated aspirational quality
Frequently Asked
What does the name Royal mean?
Royal means 'of the king' or 'regal,' from Old French roial and Latin regalis (of the king, from rex: king).
How do you pronounce Royal?
It's said ROY-ul — two syllables, stress on the first.
