Ralph

“Wolf counsel, from Old English raed (counsel) and wulf (wolf)” — Old English origin

Boy's name · #1048 in the US (2025) · Heirloom

Ralph belongs to an older America first — it reached #21 back in 1914 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1048. About 414,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records. Ralphie is a short form of Ralph.

Around the world: #96 in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 19 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Ralphs

Ralph Waldo Emerson — American philosopher (1803–1882)
Ralph Fiennes — English actor, director and producer (born 1962)
Ralph Bunche — diplomat, educator, civil rights activist and the first African American Nobel Peace Prize winner (1904–1971)
Ralph Steinman — Canadian immunologist and cell biologist (1943–2011)
Ralph Ellison — American novelist, literary critic, scholar and writer (1914-1994)

In stories & tradition

Ralph Wiggum — The Simpsons
Ralph (Elongated Man) — The Flash, season 4 · Justice League Unlimited
Ralph Cifaretto — The Sopranos

What Ralphs become

Among 3,851 notable people named Ralph:

Military figures appear 1.54× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ralph Abercromby, Scottish soldier and politician; (1734-1801).

Similar names: Rafe · Harold · Ray · Howard · Ronnie · Randy

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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