Reynald

Reynald is a masculine given name of French origin, closely related to Reynold, Renald, and Renaud. It derives from the medieval Germanic name Raginwald, formed from elements meaning counsel or advice and rule or power, and is often interpreted as conveying the sense of a wise ruler.

Historically, Reynald was used in medieval France and has persisted in various spellings. In modern French, the corresponding form is typically Renaud, while Reynald appears less frequently but is attested in historical texts and some contemporary contexts. Variant spellings include Renald, Renaut, and Raynald, among others.

A notable historical figure associated with the name is Raynald of Châtillon (c. 1125–1187), a Crusader lord who governed Kerak and earned a notorious reputation for his raids on Muslim caravans, actions that influenced the course of the Crusades. His name is rendered in several spellings, including Reynald or Renald in some sources.

In contemporary usage, Reynald remains a recognized given name in French-speaking communities, though it is less common than its modern form, Renaud. As a surname, Reynald is rare; surnames derived from the given name Reynold, such as Reynolds, are more common, reflecting the name’s historical transmission into family names.

See also variants and cognates such as Reynold, Renald, Renaud, and Raynald, as well as related given names in other languages.