The nameRalph
Ralph is an old English name from the Norse Radulf, "wolf counsel". It was a classic in the United States until the 1960s.
- Boy's name
- Norse and Norman
Meaning
Ralph comes from Radulf, from the Germanic rad, "counsel", and wulf, "wolf".
Origin
Norse and Norman. The traditional British pronunciation "Rafe" reflects the older spelling Rauf.
History
Ralph was in the American top 100 from 1880 to 1963 and reached 21st place from 1914 to 1917. In England and Wales it reached 81st place in 2019.
Did you know?
- The designer Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz in the Bronx in 1939.
Famous people named Ralph
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist and poet
- Ralph Lauren, fashion designer
- Ralph Fiennes, actor
- Ralph Vaughan Williams, composer
Popularity of the name Ralph
Ralph in the United States
Ralph was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 84,952 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Ralph. Its rise began around 1900, and it peaked in 1921. Half of all babies named Ralph in the United States were born before 1937, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 180 births a year.
Ralph in the United Kingdom
Ralph was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 4,840 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Ralph. Its rise began around 2005, and it peaked in 2019. Half of all babies named Ralph in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 626 births a year.
Ralph in France
Ralph in Belgium
Ralph in Austria
Sibling names for Ralph
Names from the same generation as Ralph, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ralph? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ralph with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ralph side by side with the name of your choice.
Ralph in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ralph mean?
Ralph comes from Radulf, from the Germanic rad, "counsel", and wulf, "wolf".
What is the origin of the name Ralph?
Norse and Norman. The traditional British pronunciation "Rafe" reflects the older spelling Rauf.
Is Ralph a girl's or a boy's name?
Ralph is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Ralph?
In 2024, Ralph was the 1148th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 182 births.
What are good sibling names for Ralph?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anita, Micaela, Rita and Deborah for a sister, Bernard, Ernest, Harold and Eugene for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ralph?
Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist and poet; Ralph Lauren, fashion designer; Ralph Fiennes, actor; Ralph Vaughan Williams, composer.