Ralston Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Ralston is an Old English name meaning 'reed stone', originating from the elements 'hrēod' (reed) and 'stān' (stone). The name has evolved through various historical forms and is associated with nature and strength. It does not have a biblical background. Ralston became more popular as a first name in the 19th and 20th centuries and is viewed positively today, with notable individuals bearing the name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ralston"
Pronunciation
/ˈrɔːlstən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Ralston is derived from the Old English elements 'hrēod', meaning 'reed', and 'stān', meaning 'stone'. Therefore, it can be interpreted as 'reed stone' or 'stone by the reeds'.
Meaning
reed stone
Language Evolution
Hrēodstan, Ralstun, Ralston
Historical Usage
Ralston gained popularity as a surname in England during the Middle Ages and has since evolved into a given name. Its usage as a first name became more common in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Ralstun, Ral, Stone
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Ralston is perceived as a classic and somewhat unique name, often associated with strength and nature due to its meaning.
Famous People
Ralston Purina (company founder), William Ralston (banker and financier), Ralston Bowles (American poet)
📊 Ralston Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Ralston Name Visualizations
✨ Ralston Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 25 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ralston"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Ralston"
"Ralston" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2282nd of 7545 | 206 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2817th of 6773 | 133 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3987th of 7552 | 71 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4666th of 10718 | 78 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4538th of 16616 | 166 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6987th of 24088 | 159 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8049th of 23106 | 111 |
Regional Popularity of "Ralston" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
74.33% 1025th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Ralston" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ralston"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ralston" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Ralston" in the United States
The name Ralston is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ralston has been stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Ralston' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2282nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2817th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3987th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4666th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4538th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6987th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8049th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Ralston' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.