Declining since 1988, #4,139 for boys today.
Popularity of Rudolph since 1880
Babies named Rudolph per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 652 |
| 1890s | 998 |
| 1900s | 1,339 |
| 1910s | 6,857 |
| 1920s | 12,561 |
| 1930s | 8,200 |
| 1940s | 6,553 |
| 1950s | 6,652 |
| 1960s | 3,535 |
| 1970s | 2,186 |
| 1980s | 1,703 |
| 1990s | 1,054 |
| 2000s | 589 |
| 2010s | 392 |
| 2020s | 170 |
Meaning & origin
Rudolph reached its peak popularity in 1927, when it was most frequently given to newborn boys. Since 1988, its usage has been falling; by 2025 it ranked 4,139th, with only about 1 in 68,323 babies receiving the name. The name is most strongly associated with the 1920s decade, though it has not seen a revival. In recent years, its few occurrences have been concentrated in California. The name's enduring cultural touchstone is the Christmas reindeer, which cemented Rudolph in the public imagination but also tied it to a seasonal association that has contributed to its decline as a personal name.
Rudolph is the English form of the Germanic name Rudolf, derived from the elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'wolf' (wolf). It was introduced to England by the Normans and later reinforced by German immigrants. The name saw a surge in popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, partly due to the character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from the 1939 poem and subsequent 1964 television special.
Where Rudolph 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: Rudy, Dolph, Rolf
Variants: Rudolf
Sibling names for Rudolph
Names that share Rudolph's style, for a brother or sister.
