Holding steady.
Popularity of Dolph since 1881
Babies named Dolph per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dolph's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 39 |
| 1890s | 16 |
| 1900s | 20 |
| 1910s | 127 |
| 1920s | 95 |
| 1930s | 82 |
| 1940s | 85 |
| 1950s | 79 |
| 1960s | 65 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Dolph is a name with ancient Germanic roots, derived from the element 'wolf', which appears in many historical European names. It was first recorded in the U.S. in 1881, and its peak year was also 1881, suggesting it never reached widespread popularity. In modern times, the name has become quite rare, likely due to its phonetic similarity to Adolf, a name strongly associated with the dictator of Nazi Germany. Despite this, Dolph remains a distinctive choice with a strong meaning. Its trajectory has been stable, meaning it has not seen significant revival or further decline in recent years.
Dolph is a short form of names such as Adolph or Adolphus, which derive from the Old High German 'Adalwolf', composed of 'adal' (noble) and 'wolf' (wolf). It was historically used as an independent given name, particularly in English-speaking countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its usage declined significantly after World War II due to its association with Adolf Hitler.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Dolph
Names that share Dolph's style, for a brother or sister.
