Meaning and Origin of: Ralph

Boy name origins & meanings

  • Old English : Wolf; wise counsel

Boy name variations

Ralf
Raff
Raffi
Rolf
Rolph
Raoul
Raul
Ralston

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : from a Middle English personal name composed of Germanic rad ‘counsel’, ‘advice’ + wolf ‘wolf’. This was first introduced into England by Scandinavian settlers in the Old Norse form Ráðulfr, and was reinforced after the Conquest by the Norman form Ra(d)ulf. Compare German Rudolf.

Famous people with this first name

Ralph Lauren
Ralph Macchio