Holding steady.
Popularity of Dolphus since 1880
Babies named Dolphus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1930, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Dolphus's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 83 |
| 1890s | 37 |
| 1900s | 52 |
| 1910s | 193 |
| 1920s | 251 |
| 1930s | 208 |
| 1940s | 166 |
| 1950s | 147 |
| 1960s | 68 |
| 1970s | 40 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Dolphus is a vintage name that reflects naming patterns of the late 19th century. Its peak usage occurred in 1885, the year it was most frequently recorded. The name has remained stable in usage since then, never experiencing a revival. Because its rank is null in recent years, Dolphus is now exceedingly uncommon. Despite its rarity, it carries a distinct historical charm, evoking an era when names like Dolphus were more familiar. Its connection to Rudolf and the Germanic element for 'wolf' gives it a subtle strength, though its exact meaning remains open to interpretation.
Dolphus is generally regarded as a variant or diminutive of Rudolf, a Germanic name composed of the elements 'hrōd' meaning 'fame' and 'wulf' meaning 'wolf'. It may also be related to the Greek name Dolphos, though this connection is uncertain. The name saw modest use in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the 1880s, but has since become extremely rare.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Dolphus
Names that share Dolphus's style, for a brother or sister.
