A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ralf since 1920
Babies named Ralf per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 53 |
| 1930s | 24 |
| 1940s | 12 |
| 1950s | 55 |
| 1960s | 102 |
| 1970s | 38 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Ralf is a German and Scandinavian variant of Ralph, firmly established as a masculine name. Its etymology traces to the Old Norse Ráðúlfr, meaning 'wolf counsel.' In the United States, Ralf first appeared in Social Security records in 1920 but saw its peak in 1963, when it ranked 438th. After decades of decline, the name has been rising in popularity since 2022, reflecting a broader revival of mid-20th-century names. Ralf is rarely given today, with an estimated 1-in-N occurrence far below common names, but its resurgence in the current decade suggests a modest comeback.
Ralf is a German and Scandinavian variant of Ralph, which derives from the Old Norse name Ráðúlfr, composed of 'ráð' (counsel) and 'ulfr' (wolf). The name was introduced to England by Scandinavian settlers and became common in the Middle Ages. In Germany, the spelling Ralf has been consistently used since the mid-20th century, often as a short form of the longer name.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rally
Sibling names for Ralf
Names that share Ralf's style, for a brother or sister.
