Randolph
Randolph is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Shield wolf or rim of a shield.
Origin and history
Randolph is a classic masculine name of Old Norse and Germanic origin, derived from elements meaning shield and wolf. It enjoyed steady popularity in the early-to-mid 20th century in the United States and has since become a rare, traditional choice.
Popularity in the United States
49,424 babies in the United States have been named Randolph since 1880. It ranks #516 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1794.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.9 %)
- NY (8.6 %)
- VA (8.2 %)
- PA (5.4 %)
- NC (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 193 |
| 1890-1900 | 267 |
| 1900-1910 | 414 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,857 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,735 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,854 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,555 |
| 1950-1960 | 15,496 |
| 1960-1970 | 8,195 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,020 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,900 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,572 |
| 2000-2010 | 799 |
| 2010-2019 | 434 |
| 2020-2029 | 133 |
Famous people named Randolph
- Randolph Scott: Actor
- Randolph Churchill: Politician, Journalist
Nicknames
Randy, Dolph
Fun facts
- The name combines the Old Norse elements 'rönd' (shield rim) and 'úlfr' (wolf).
- It was introduced to Britain by the Normans, blending with existing Anglo-Saxon forms like Radulf.