Ralph
Ralph is an boy name of Old Norse and Old English origin, meaning “Wolf counsel”.
| Meaning | Wolf counsel |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Old Norse and Old English |
| Pronunciation | RALF |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic, Christian |
| Used in | United Kingdom, United States, Australia |
Meaning and origin of Ralph
Ralph comes from Rádulfr in Old Norse and Rædwulf in Old English, built from words for 'counsel, advice' and 'wolf'. The Normans spread their form Raoul after 1066, and in England it settled as Ralph. In Britain the traditional pronunciation RAYF is still used by some families, as with the actor Ralph Fiennes, while RALF is usual elsewhere. The American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson is a famous bearer.
Is Ralph a religious name?
Ralph is a Germanic name long used in Christian Europe, but it has no biblical or saintly source of particular note.
How popular is Ralph?
A classic name now less common, though Rafe and Ralph have seen a modest revival in Britain.
Gifts with the name Ralph
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Spellings and variants of Ralph
Names similar to Ralph
More boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ralph mean?
Ralph means 'Wolf counsel'. It is of Old Norse and Old English origin.
Does Ralph have a religious meaning?
Ralph is a Germanic name long used in Christian Europe, but it has no biblical or saintly source of particular note.
How do you pronounce Ralph?
Ralph is pronounced RALF.
Is Ralph a boy or girl name?
Ralph is usually a boy name.