Rónán, anglicised as Ronan, is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin. The name has several meanings such as 'little seal', 'a pledge', and 'a promising oath'. The word for "seal" in Irish Gaelic is "rón". A short variant of the name could be Rory. The name is derived from a very old legend, which tells the story of a mother seal who is warned never to stray too close to the land. When the seal is swept ashore by a huge wave, she becomes trapped in a human form, known as a "Selkie" or "seal maiden". Although she lives as the wife of a fisherman and bears him children, known as "ronans" or "little seals", she never quite loses her "sea-longing". Eventually she finds the "seal-skin" which the fisherman has hidden and slips back into the ocean. However, she cannot forget her husband and children and can be seen swimming close to the shore, keeping a watchful and loving eye on them. Popularity Ireland In 2021, Ronan was the 40th most popular boy name in Ireland. United Kingdom In Northern Ireland, Ronan has been the 20th most popular boy name, alongside Darragh and Ethan. Since 2020, Ronan has had an increase in popularity in England, Scotland and Wales by 31%, Brodie, with 28%, Rory having 51% and Cillian with 70%. United States As of 2021, Ronan is the 229th most popular boy name in the United States, and it's been growing in numbers since then. Saints There are twelve Irish saints bearing the name of Ronan commemorated in the Martyrology of Donegal: These include: Ronan of Locronan, a c. 6th century Irish pilgrim saint and hermit in western Brittany Rónán Mac Bearaigh (died 665), founder of Druim Inesclainn (Drumshallon) (see Féchín of Fore). Rónán of Ulster, brother of St. Carnech, and grandson of Loarn, died 11 January 535. Rónán Fionn is honoured as patron of Lan Ronan (Kelminiog) in Iveagh. His feast is celebrated on 22 May, both in Ireland and Scotland. Rónán of Iona is explicitly referred to by Bede in the controversy with his countryman St Finan of Lindisfarne, Bishop of Lindisfarne, 660. This controversy, on the calculation of the date of Easter, was ended at the Synod of Whitby, in 664, when Rónán's views were upheld. This is the saint referred to in the title of Sir Walter Scott's book, Saint Ronan's Well. Scott's