Declining since 1985, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Randolph since 1880
Babies named Randolph per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 193 |
| 1890s | 267 |
| 1900s | 414 |
| 1910s | 1,857 |
| 1920s | 2,735 |
| 1930s | 2,854 |
| 1940s | 7,555 |
| 1950s | 15,496 |
| 1960s | 8,195 |
| 1970s | 4,020 |
| 1980s | 2,900 |
| 1990s | 1,572 |
| 2000s | 799 |
| 2010s | 434 |
| 2020s | 133 |
Meaning & origin
Randolph is a vintage name with a distinctly old-fashioned feel, carrying the rugged meaning of 'shield-wolf'. It peaked in popularity in 1952, when it reached its highest rank of 4857. Since 1985, its use has been steadily declining, reflecting a broader move away from traditional surnames-as-first-names and toward shorter, more modern choices. Despite its rarity today, Randolph retains a dignified, scholarly aura, often associated with historical figures and literary characters. Its top state usage has been scattered, but it has seen occasional revivals in families honoring the surname of notable ancestors.
Randolph is an English surname and given name derived from the Old Norse name Rannúlfr (or Randúlfr), composed of 'rand' (rim, shield) and 'ulfr' (wolf). It was brought to England by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking Age and later reinforced by the Norman form Randolf. The name has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, though it has always been less common than the related Randolph.
Where Randolph is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Randy, Rand, Dolph
Variants: Randolf, Randulph
Sibling names for Randolph
Names that share Randolph's style, for a brother or sister.
