Raghnall

Raghnall is a masculine given name in Scottish Gaelic. It is the Gaelic form of Ronald, derived from the Old Norse Rögnvaldr, meaning "ruler's counsellor" or "powerful ruler." The name has appeared in Gaelic records since the medieval period and remains in use in Scotland and among Gaelic-speaking communities.

Variants and anglicized forms include Ranald and Ronald; in Gaelic contexts Raghnall is common. The name has given rise to diminutives and nicknames in English and Scots, such as Rag or Ranald, though usage varies by family.

Notable bearers include Raghnall mac Somhairle, a 12th-century Gaelic noble associated with the Lordship of the Isles. The name appears in genealogies and literary sources describing Scottish Gaelic nobility and culture.

In modern times Raghnall is encountered in Scotland, particularly in Gaelic-speaking regions and in communities with an interest in Gaelic heritage. It remains one of several traditional Gaelic names that reflect Norse-Gaelic historical connections.

Related names include Ranald and Ronald.