Rudolph is a unique and distinctive male given name of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic elements "Hrod" meaning "fame" or "renown", and "wulf" meaning " wolf". Thus, the name Rudolph means "famous wolf".
The name Rudolph was first introduced into England by Charlemagne, who ruled France and Germany in the 8th century. He named one of his sons Rudolph, and this helped to popularize the name in both countries.
In the Middle Ages, the name Rudolph became particularly associated with the German House of Habsburg, which produced many influential rulers. Several Holy Roman Emperors bore the name Rudolph, including Rudolph I who was crowned emperor in 1273.
Over time, the name Rudolph has been anglicized to Rudolph or Rolf, and it is also sometimes used as a surname. Today, it is still used occasionally but remains relatively rare compared to other names.
Overall, Rudolph is an historic and distinguished given name with a strong German heritage. While its meaning may be less well-known than some other names, it carries a powerful sense of fame and renown.
The name Rudolph experienced a brief period of popularity in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. In the year 1917, there were 5 babies born with this unique name. This figure remained consistent for nearly eight years, as another 5 newborns were given the name Rudolph in 1925.
While these numbers are relatively low compared to many other popular names of that era, they do indicate a specific interest in the name Rudolph during those years. However, it's important to note that this popularity was short-lived, as there is no record of any significant increase or decrease in births with this name before or after these two years.
In total, over these two years, 10 babies were named Rudolph in the United States. This statis