Rudolph
Rudolph is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Famous wolf.
Origin and history
Rudolph is a classic male name derived from the Old High German Hrodulf, combining roots meaning 'famous' and 'wolf'. Although historically popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, its modern usage has declined significantly, partly due to its strong association with the fictional character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Popularity in the United States
53,441 babies in the United States have been named Rudolph since 1880. It ranks #487 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1757.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.3 %)
- CA (8.5 %)
- PA (8.4 %)
- TX (7 %)
- IL (6.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 652 |
| 1890-1900 | 998 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,339 |
| 1910-1920 | 6,857 |
| 1920-1930 | 12,561 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,200 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,553 |
| 1950-1960 | 6,652 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,535 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,186 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,703 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,054 |
| 2000-2010 | 589 |
| 2010-2019 | 392 |
| 2020-2029 | 170 |
Famous people named Rudolph
- Rudolph Valentino: Actor
- Rudolph Giuliani: Politician, Attorney
Nicknames
Rudy, Rolf
Fun facts
- The name was borne by several Holy Roman Emperors and European royals throughout history.
- The creation of 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' in 1939 strongly reshaped modern American perception of the name.