US Popularity Rank: 22475

Origin: Scottish

Meaning: Little shield; Counselor, ruler

Rankin is a boy’s name of Scottish or Germanic origin. Originating as a medieval personal name, Rankin is a diminutive of either the Germanic name Rand, meaning “shield rim,” or the Scottish name Ronald. Ronald means “ruler, counselor” or “ruler’s counselor.” That means Rankin can be interpreted as meaning either “little shield,” “little ruler,” or “little counselor.” If you want baby to be wise, protective, or a natural leader, this could be the perfect name! Rankin is also a surname, found mostly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. A famous bearer is the Scottish crime writer Sir Ian Rankin, while another is American producer Arthur Rankin Jr., famous for the much loved animated version of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit (1977).