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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ralf

Ralf

♂ Boy

Pronounced RALF /ˈrælf/High

Meaning: Ralf is the German and Scandinavian spelling of Ralph, from the Old Norse/Germanic Radulf — rad ('counsel') plus ulf ('wolf'), so 'wolf counsel' or 'wise wolf'.Medium

In 30 seconds: One strong beat: Ralf is the German spelling of Ralph — 'counsel' plus 'wolf' (said 'RALF').
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Origin MediumGerman, Germanic
MeaningRalf is the German and Scandinavian spelling of Ralph, from the Old Norse/Germanic Radulf — rad ('counsel') plus ulf ('wolf'), so 'wolf counsel' or 'wise wolf'.
U.S. rank (2024)#13722 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1963
Total births (all-time)≈ 304

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196319202024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ralf is the continental spelling of Ralph, descended from the Germanic Radulf (rad, 'counsel' + ulf, 'wolf') by way of Old Norse Ráðúlfr. It was a staple in Germany and Scandinavia through the 20th century and travels to English easily, since it sounds exactly like Ralph (said 'RALF').

In the U.S. it is far rarer than Ralph, and reads as the crisp European spelling. Rare, sturdy, and classic.

Did you know? Ralf and Ralph go back to the same Germanic name, Radulf — 'counsel' plus 'wolf'. The f-spelling is the everyday one in Germany and Scandinavia, and it saw a real vogue there in the mid-20th century (said 'RALF').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Ralf — German/Scandinavian form of Ralph, from Germanic Radulf

Variations

RalphRolfRadulf

Nicknames

RalfyRal

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ralf…

Ralph— the English spelling of the same name
Rolf— a close Germanic cousin, also 'wolf'
Rudolf— a like German name with the wolf element
Wolf— the root element, used as a name in its own right

Explore names like Ralf

By themeclassicshortgermanicgerman
By meaningWisdom

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ralf mean?

Ralf means 'wolf counsel' or 'wise wolf', from the Germanic Radulf — rad ('counsel') plus ulf ('wolf').

How do you pronounce Ralf?

It's said RALF /ˈrælf/ — one syllable, just like Ralph.

Is Ralf a boy or girl name?

Ralf is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Ralf?

Ralf is a rare name for boys in the U.S., though well known in Germany.

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