Rudolf
Rudolf was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1927, when it ranked 720th with 82 babies. More babies were named Rudolf in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Rudolph) "famous wolf" · Germanic, German
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 192782 babies
- Total since 1880
- 2,951babies recorded
What does the name Rudolf mean?
Rudolf is a spelling of Rudolph, pronounced the same way, so it shares Rudolph's meaning and origin.
Rudolph is the English spelling of the German Rudolf, an old Germanic name from hrōþ, "fame", and wulf, "wolf". DMNES lists medieval kings and Habsburg rulers named Rudolf and notes confusion with Ralph, which has a similar origin. Rudolph was most popular in the US in the 1910s and 1920s; since 1939 it has also been the name of Santa's red-nosed reindeer.
hruod (Old High German, “fame”)wolf (Old High German, “wolf”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Rudolf, Rudy, Rodolfo, Ralph, Dolph.
See also: Germanic names, names that mean fame, names that mean an animal.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Rudolph', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Rudolf', DMNES (Durham University)
- Wikipedia, 'Rudolph (name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Rudolf popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #9,395 | 8 |
| 2010 | #11,913 | 6 |
| 2000 | #8,057 | 8 |
| 1990 | #5,727 | 9 |
| 1980 | #2,601 | 19 |
| 1970 | #1,786 | 25 |
| 1960 | #1,964 | 18 |
| 1950 | #1,121 | 41 |
| 1940 | #1,126 | 35 |
| 1930 | #792 | 67 |
| 1920 | #1,107 | 42 |
| 1910 | #1,290 | 8 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Rudolf, counting every spelling?
Rudolf is a spelling of Rudolph, a name family that had 25 boys in 2025 across its spellings. Together these spellings went to 25 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rudolph | 25 | #4,231 | 142 |
| Rudolf | — | — | 25 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Rudolf?
About 1,100 people born in the US named Rudolf are alive today, with a median age of 59; half are between 39 and 72. That makes Rudolf a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Rudolf: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Rudolf, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Rudolf
What does Rudolf mean?
Rudolf is a spelling of Rudolph, which means “"famous wolf"” (Germanic, German origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Rudolf?
Rudolf was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1927, when it ranked 720th with 82 babies. More babies were named Rudolf in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Is Rudolf a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Rudolf in the US.