Ralph
Ralph is a boys' name of English origin meaning “Counsel wolf or wolf counsel.” From the Old English Rædwulf, counsel wolf, reinforced after the Norman Conquest by the Norman Radulf.
Torn between Ralph and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Ralph?
RALF
where does the name Ralph come from?
From the Old English Rædwulf and the Old High German Radulf, related to the Old Norse Raðulfr: counsel wolf. After the Norman Conquest the Norman French Radulf reinforced the English name.
It was extremely common in medieval England and enjoyed popularity through the mid-20th century before declining sharply.
how popular is this name?
Ralph has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 134 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 5. It peaked at #21 in 1914, and ranked #950 in 2018.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2018 | #950 |
| 2016 | #993 |
| 2011 | #953 |
| 2010 | #966 |
| 2009 | #953 |
| 2000 | #583 |
| 1990 | #385 |
| 1980 | #229 |
| 1970 | #147 |
| 1960 | #89 |
| 1950 | #52 |
| 1940 | #37 |
| 1930 | #25 |
| 1920 | #22 |
| 1914 | #21 |
| 1910 | #28 |
| 1900 | #31 |
| 1890 | #32 |
| 1880 | #54 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Ralph fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Ralph?
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Ralph Lauren
- Ralph Fiennes
what are the nicknames and variants of Ralph?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names go well with Ralph?
Sibling names that share Ralph's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Ralph
What does the name Ralph mean?
Ralph means “Counsel wolf or wolf counsel”.
What is the origin of the name Ralph?
Ralph comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Raoul and Radulf.
How popular is the name Ralph?
Ralph ranked #950 in the US in 2018, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1914, at #21, and it has spent 134 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Ralph a boy or girl name?
Ralph is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Ralph?
Ralph is pronounced RALF, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Ralph? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session