Ronaldo's name was inspired by which U.S. president?

Ronaldo’s name was inspired by U.S. president Ronald Reagan.

Cristiano Ronaldo was named Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro. His father, José Dinis Aveiro, admired the American actor and politician Ronald Reagan, who was serving as U.S. president when Ronaldo was born in 1985. The choice explains why the footballer’s middle name is Ronaldo, even though his family was Portuguese and had no direct connection to American politics.

Reagan was president from 1981 to 1989, so the naming decision came during the early part of Ronaldo’s life and career. Ronaldo was born in Funchal, Madeira, and grew up in the nearby parish of Santo António before moving to Lisbon to join Sporting CP’s youth system.

The name can cause confusion because “Ronaldo” is also strongly associated with Brazilian football star Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima. Cristiano Ronaldo later became famous under the same footballing name, but his original namesake was Ronald Reagan, not another player.