Rudolph

Rudolph: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “famous wolf”
Origin: Germanic
Say it: ROO-dolf · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

From Germanic elements hrod 'fame' and wulf 'wolf'. Related forms include Rudolf and Raoul through different language developments.

German names English names Names meaning animal Names meaning noble Names meaning brave Classic names Vintage names

How popular is Rudolph?

202410.2 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Rudolph in 202434

2024 rank#3,382 boys

Peak year1927

Total US babies since 188053,610

Rudolph is steady now but far below its 1927 peak.

Names like Rudolph

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Williamresolute protector · Germanic
Henryhome ruler · Germanic
Charlesfree man · Germanic
Milessoldier or merciful · Germanic
Robertbright fame · Germanic
Milogracious; dear · Germanic
Luisfamous warrior · Germanic
Richardbrave ruler · Germanic

Rudolph questions

What does the name Rudolph mean?

Rudolph means "famous wolf". It comes from Germanic. From Germanic elements hrod 'fame' and wulf 'wolf'. Related forms include Rudolf and Raoul through different language developments.

Is Rudolph a boy or girl name?

Rudolph is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Rudolph?

34 US babies were named Rudolph in 2024. Its peak year was 1927.

How do you pronounce Rudolph?

Rudolph is usually pronounced ROO-dolf.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.