Rudolph first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Rudolph has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Rudolph

Derived from the Germanic name Hrodulf, meaning "famous wolf".

Popularity of Rudolph by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rudolph is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Rudolph being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 22 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rudolph.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 22 0
2022 30 0
2021 31 0
2020 28 0
2019 41 0
2018 34 0
2017 40 0
2016 34 0
2015 41 0
2014 47 0
2013 36 0
2012 43 0
2011 44 0
2010 32 0
2009 35 0
2008 54 0
2007 45 0
2006 50 0
2005 58 0
2004 59 0
2003 65 0
2002 69 0
2001 82 0
2000 72 0
1999 62 0
1998 92 0
1997 76 0
1996 109 0
1995 105 0
1994 105 0
1993 108 0
1992 119 0
1991 131 0
1990 146 0
1989 183 0
1988 169 0
1987 156 0
1986 139 0
1985 157 0
1984 165 0
1983 175 0
1982 192 0
1981 170 0
1980 196 0
1979 190 0
1978 182 0
1977 181 0
1976 198 0
1975 188 0
1974 217 6

The history of the first name Rudolph

The name Rudolph originated from the Germanic language family, with roots that can be traced back to the 5th century AD. It is a compound name formed by combining the words "hruod" meaning "fame" or "glory" and "wolf" representing strength and courage. The name was initially spelled as "Hrodwulf" or "Hrodulf" in Old High German.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Rudolph was Rudolph I, who reigned as the King of Burgundy from 888 to 912 AD. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Burgundian kingdom and the consolidation of power in the region.

In the 10th century, Rudolph I of Burgundy (859-912) was a prominent figure who became the King of France in 923 AD. He was instrumental in defending the kingdom against Viking invasions and is remembered for his military prowess and leadership.

During the 11th century, Rudolph of Rheinfelden (1025-1080) was a notable figure who served as the Duke of Swabia and later became the King of Germany from 1077 to 1080. He played a significant role in the Investiture Controversy, a major conflict between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Papacy over the appointment of bishops and abbots.

In the 12th century, Rudolph I of Habsburg (1218-1291) emerged as a prominent ruler who became the King of the Romans in 1273. He played a crucial role in establishing the House of Habsburg as a dominant force in European politics and is considered a founding figure of the Habsburg dynasty.

Another notable individual with the name Rudolph was Rudolph II (1552-1612), who reigned as the Holy Roman Emperor from 1576 to 1612. He was known for his patronage of the arts and sciences, and his court in Prague attracted numerous artists, astronomers, and scholars, including famous figures such as Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe.

Throughout history, the name Rudolph has been associated with various notable individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, reflecting its enduring popularity and significance across various regions and time periods.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rudolph was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rudolph, please contact us.

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"Rudolph first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/rudolph-meaning-and-history/.

"Rudolph first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/rudolph-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Rudolph first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/rudolph-meaning-and-history/.

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