Rudolf
Rudolf is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Famous wolf.
Origin and history
Rudolf is a classic Germanic name composed of elements meaning 'fame' and 'wolf'. Historically common across Central and Northern Europe, it was introduced to the English-speaking world in various eras. In the United States, it remains a rare traditional choice today.
Popularity in the United States
2,951 babies in the United States have been named Rudolf since 1880. It ranks #2379 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1894.
States where it is most popular
- NY (50.4 %)
- CA (15.7 %)
- TX (14.8 %)
- IL (6.8 %)
- NJ (3.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 11 |
| 1890-1900 | 17 |
| 1900-1910 | 62 |
| 1910-1920 | 407 |
| 1920-1930 | 585 |
| 1930-1940 | 419 |
| 1940-1950 | 323 |
| 1950-1960 | 349 |
| 1960-1970 | 221 |
| 1970-1980 | 173 |
| 1980-1990 | 137 |
| 1990-2000 | 104 |
| 2000-2010 | 69 |
| 2010-2019 | 41 |
| 2020-2029 | 33 |
Famous people named Rudolf
- Rudolf Nureyev: Ballet dancer, Choreographer
- Rudolf Diesel: Inventor, Engineer
- Rudolf Valentino: Actor
Nicknames
Rudy, Rolf
Fun facts
- Rudolf was the name of several Holy Roman Emperors and European royals throughout history.
- Derived from the Old High German name Hrodulf, combining hrod ('fame') and wulf ('wolf').