Ralph, derived from the Old German name Radulf, is a classic name with a rich history. It gained prominence during the Middle Ages and has been popular throughout various periods in history. The name Ralph is composed of two elements: 'rad', meaning 'counsel', and 'wolf'. Thus, the name translates to "wise wolf". This etymology suggests that bearers of this name were once thought to possess wisdom and strength. Over time, Ralph has evolved into several variants, such as Raff, Raffe, Rafe, and Raffi, offering parents a variety of options if they're considering this name for their child. In literature, Ralph is famously associated with the character Ralph Spoilsport in "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame, and Ralph Nickleby in Charles Dickens' novel "Nicholas Nickleby". These characters have contributed to the name's enduring appeal and recognition.
The name Ralph experienced notable fluctuations in popularity over the given period. In the late 19th century, it consistently remained between 5 to 8 births per year. However, it began to gain significant traction in the early 20th century, with a marked increase from 13 births in 1914 to 25 births in 1915, peaking at 56 births in 1922. This popularity persisted until around the mid-1930s, with fluctuations between 32 and 59 births per year.
After World War II, Ralph's popularity steadily declined from 45 births in 1940 to a low of 5 births in 1983. There was a brief resurgence in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with numbers reaching as high as 15 births per year, but it eventually declined again towards the end of the period, with 6 births in 1987 and 5 births in 1990. Overall, Ralph saw a total of 1840 births over this 136-year span.