Ralph
Ralph is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Counsel wolf or wise wolf.
Origin and history
Ralph is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, derived from elements meaning wolf and counsel. It was introduced to England by Norse settlers and reinforced by the Normans, becoming a classic staple for centuries. Though extremely popular in the early to mid-20th century in the United States, its usage has declined significantly in recent years.
Popularity in the United States
414,018 babies in the United States have been named Ralph since 1880. It ranks #82 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1027.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9.3 %)
- PA (7.6 %)
- OH (6.8 %)
- CA (5.9 %)
- IL (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 4,269 |
| 1890-1900 | 6,951 |
| 1900-1910 | 9,298 |
| 1910-1920 | 52,522 |
| 1920-1930 | 84,466 |
| 1930-1940 | 63,802 |
| 1940-1950 | 64,983 |
| 1950-1960 | 60,440 |
| 1960-1970 | 34,190 |
| 1970-1980 | 14,755 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,998 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,474 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,779 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,978 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,113 |
Famous people named Ralph
- Ralph Waldo Emerson: Essayist, Poet
- Ralph Lauren: Fashion Designer, Businessman
- Ralph Macchio: Actor
Nicknames
Ralphie, Rafe
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Old Norse Ráðúlfr, combining 'ráð' (counsel) and 'úlfr' (wolf), brought to Britain before the Norman Conquest.
- Ralph was a top 30 name for boys in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.