How to say it
RO · nin
/ˈroʊ.nɪn/
Masculine
Ronin
Masterless samurai
What it means
Japanese, a 'wandering' or masterless samurai, literally 'wave man.'
Ronin is the Japanese term for a samurai with no master, literally a 'wave man,' someone adrift and self-directed. The famous tale of the 47 Ronin made it a symbol of loyalty and independence. It rides the popular -in sound and reads strong and a little lone-wolf. Said ROH-nin.
Popularity over time
peaked at #390 in 2020, currently #504 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
A masterless, wandering samurai; the tale of the 47 Ronin.
Spelling variants
- Ronnin
- Rounin
- Roninn