Names › Boys' names › R › Ralph
Ralph
Meaning: counsel wolf · Origin: Old Norse / English · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
From Old Norse Ráðúlfr: rad ('counsel') + ulfr ('wolf'). In Britain it is often pronounced 'Rafe'.
Famous people named Ralph
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (writer)
- Ralph Fiennes (actor)
Nicknames
Ralphie
Variants & related names
Rafe, Raoul, Rolf
Ralph name art
A free preview of a printable “Ralph” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Ralph mean?
Ralph means “counsel wolf”. It comes from Old Norse / English.
Is Ralph a popular name?
Ralph is a classic boys' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Ralph?
Ralphie.
What are other forms of Ralph?
Rafe, Raoul, Rolf.
Similar names
Ryan · Roman · Robert · Ryder · Rowan · River
More: names starting with R · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.