The story behind Ralph
From Middle English Radulf, from Old English Rǣdwulf (also as Raulf), from Proto-West Germanic *Rādawulf, from Proto-Germanic *Rēdawulfaz. Reinforced by similar forms brought to England, e.g. Old Norse Ráðúlfr, then in the Norman form Old French Radulf, Radulph. For the sense relating to vomiting, see ralph.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Ralph, from Middle English Radulf, from Old English Rǣdwulf (also as Raulf), from Proto-West Germanic *Rādawulf, from Proto-Germanic *Rēdawulfaz.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈɹælf/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: [ˈɹʷælf]
- older, UK: /ˈɹeɪ̯f/
- older, UK: [ˈɹʷeɪ̯f]
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˈɾalf/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˈɾalf]
- Tagalog: /ˈɾalp/
- Tagalog: [ˈɾalp]
Popularity
Ralph ranked #1048 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Ralph
Faith
Borrowed from English Faith.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Hugh
From the Old French aristocratic and saint's name Hughe, brought to England by Normans, from a short form of Germanic names beginning with Proto-Germanic *hugiz (“heart,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
March
English March From Middle English March, Marche, borrowed from Anglo-Norman marche, from Old French marz, from Latin mensis Mārtius (“the Martian month”), from earlier Mavors.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Mitch
Borrowed from English Mitch, clipping of Mitchell.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ŕṣabh
Borrowed from Sanskrit ऋषभ (ṛṣabha).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ruth
From Ruth the Moabite, Hebrew רות, of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "companion". Also associated with the English noun ruth (“compassion”) by Puritans. From Middle Dutch…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Ralph
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abelard
From French Abélard, an extension of the Abel with an Germanic suffix -(h)ard. Possibly also regarded a variant of the German Eberhard "boar" + "hard", equivalent to English…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Ralph
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abelard
From French Abélard, an extension of the Abel with an Germanic suffix -(h)ard. Possibly also regarded a variant of the German Eberhard "boar" + "hard", equivalent to English…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length