Ralph

Boy Germanic languages #1196 in 2023

Ralph is a boy name of Germanic languages origin.

Meaning of Ralph

From Radulf, from Rǣdwulf (also as Raulf), from Rādawulf, from Rēdawulfaz. Reinforced by similar forms brought to England, e.g., then in the Norman form, Radulph.

Popularity of Ralph

Popularity, 1880–2023

168 births in 2023

1880 2023

413,617 U.S. births recorded from 1880–2023. Used for both boys and girls — see notes below.

Peak year

1921

8,902 babies

First recorded

1880

Earliest SSA data

Recent trend

Steady

Last 5 yrs vs. prior 5

Similar names

Robert

Boy · Germanic

Bright fame; from 'hrod' (fame) and 'beraht' (bright)

Richard

Boy · Germanic languages

From Rycharde, from Richard, from Richardus and Ricohardus, from Rīkahard, from Rīkaharduz, a construction Cognate with t=Richard

Linda

Girl · Germanic languages

Latinised short form of compound names ending in -lind, t=tender, soft (English -inda), such as Sieglinde and Dietlinde, and earlier names such as and, from linþaz, whence also t=gentle, mild, pliable, limber

Ronald

Boy · Germanic languages

Anglicized from Raghnall, itself derived from Rǫgnvaldr, from rǫgn + valdr, later partly merged with the Continental Germanic equivalent Reynold

Ryan

Boy · Irish

Little king; descendant of Rían

Jeffrey

Boy · Germanic languages

The usual U

Frank

Boy · Germanic languages

From Frank, partially from Franca; and partially from Franc, and/or Francus, from Franko; both maybe from frankô

Gary

Boy · Germanic languages

Medieval short form of - compound names beginning with gari or geri ("spear"), such as Gerard, Gerald or Gerbert

About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Etymology adapted from Wiktionary under CC BY-SA 4.0. If you spot an error, please let us know.