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Home › Baby Names Directory › Randolph

Randolph

♂ Boy

Pronounced RAN-dolf /ˈræn.dɑlf/High

Meaning: From Germanic Randwulf — 'the shield-wolf' (rand, 'the rim of a shield', plus wulf, 'wolf')Medium

In 30 seconds: The shield-wolf: Randolph is Germanic — 'the shield-wolf'. Strong, distinguished, and warm.
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Origin MediumGerman, English
MeaningFrom Germanic Randwulf — 'the shield-wolf' (rand, 'the rim of a shield', plus wulf, 'wolf')
U.S. rank (2025)#5003 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1952
Total births (all-time)≈ 49,402

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195218802025

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

Randolph comes from the Germanic Randwulf, 'the shield-wolf' (rand, 'the rim/edge of a shield', plus wulf, 'wolf') — brought to England by the Normans as Randolf. A strong, distinguished name (Lord Randolph Churchill; the actor Randolph Scott; the Randolph political dynasty of Virginia; nickname Randy, Dolph).

It registers thinly today. Rare, the-shield-wolf at the root, and distinguished.

Did you know? Randolph means 'the shield-wolf' (Germanic rand, 'the rim of a shield', plus wulf, 'wolf') — a strong, distinguished name (Sir Winston Churchill's father and son were both Randolph; the actor Randolph Scott).
Overall data confidence 72%
Behind the Name — Randolf — root etymology

Variations

RandolfRandallRandal

Nicknames

Randy

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Randolph…

Randall— a kin Rand- name
Randal— a fellow Rand- spelling
Rudolph— a sound-neighbor -olph Germanic boys' name
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Rodney— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Randolph

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Randolph mean?

Randolph is Germanic, 'the shield-wolf'.

How do you pronounce Randolph?

It's said RAN-dolf /ˈræn.dɑlf/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Randolph a boy or girl name?

Randolph is a boy's name.

How popular is Randolph?

Randolph is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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