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

Popularity of Wolf by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Wolf is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 88 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wolf.

The history of the first name Wolf

The name Wolf is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German word "wolf" which means "wolf" in English. This name has been in use since ancient times and was likely first given to children as a personal name to imbue them with the strength, ferocity, and cunning associated with the wolf.

In Norse mythology, the wolf was a sacred animal associated with the gods Odin and Fenrir. The name Wolf may have been used by ancient Germanic tribes as a way to honor these deities and invoke their protection.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wolf can be found in the Icelandic Landnámabók, a medieval text that documents the settlement of Iceland. The text mentions a man named Úlfur Örnólfsson, who lived in the 9th century and was one of the first settlers of Iceland.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Wolf. One such figure was Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau (1559-1617), a German prince-bishop and architect who was responsible for the construction of the famous Salzburg Cathedral.

Another prominent individual with this name was Wolf Huber (1485-1553), a German Anabaptist leader and theologian who played a significant role in the Radical Reformation movement.

In the realm of literature, Wolf von Lüttichau (1603-1638) was a German poet and dramatist known for his tragedies and comedies, which were influential in the development of German theater.

In more recent times, Wolf Vostell (1932-1998) was a German painter and sculptor who was a pioneer of the Fluxus movement and is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Finally, Wolf Blitzer (born 1948) is an American journalist and television news anchor who has been the host of CNN's "The Situation Room" since 2005.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Wolf, a name that has endured for centuries and continues to be used today, carrying with it the symbolism and strength associated with its lupine origins.

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 Wolf was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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