Ralph
Say it: RALF/ˈɹælf/
BoyMeans usually explained as "counsel wolf"5 letters1 syllable
#372
in Ireland (2025)
#360 with spellings combined
10
babies in 2025
#171
best rank (1966)
294
babies since 1964
Up 195
10-year rank change
Ralph through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #360 |
| 2024 | 10 | #360 |
| 2023 | 7 | #460 |
| 2022 | 9 | #393 |
| 2021 | 12 | #328 |
| 2020 | 4 | #606 |
| 2019 | 13 | #311 |
| 2018 | 5 | #543 |
| 2017 | 8 | #418 |
| 2016 | 6 | #491 |
| 2015 | 5 | #555 |
| 2014 | 7 | #468 |
| 2013 | 5 | #535 |
| 2012 | 7 | #457 |
| 2011 | 5 | #540 |
| 2010 | 5 | #542 |
| 2009 | 3 | #701 |
| 2008 | 5 | #529 |
| 2007 | 3 | #629 |
| 2006 | 5 | #423 |
| 2005 | 5 | #403 |
| 2004 | 4 | #440 |
| 2003 | 7 | #305 |
| 2000 | 5 | #312 |
| 1999 | 4 | #330 |
| 1998 | 5 | #280 |
| 1990 | 3 | #323 |
| 1984 | 7 | #224 |
| 1982 | 3 | #330 |
| 1981 | 3 | #322 |
| 1980 | 6 | #252 |
| 1979 | 5 | #269 |
| 1978 | 5 | #255 |
| 1977 | 5 | #273 |
| 1976 | 3 | #316 |
| 1975 | 8 | #225 |
| 1974 | 6 | #251 |
| 1973 | 10 | #209 |
| 1972 | 7 | #230 |
| 1971 | 9 | #204 |
| 1970 | 11 | #185 |
| 1969 | 6 | #230 |
| 1968 | 8 | #187 |
| 1967 | 7 | #196 |
| 1966 | 9 | #171 |
| 1965 | 5 | #207 |
| 1964 | 4 | #214 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ralph mean?
Usually explained as "counsel wolf"
English, from Old English Rǣdwulf, reinforced by the Norman Radulf.
Say it right
RALF
An older British pronunciation, RAYF, is still used by some families.
The story of Ralph
Ralph goes back to the Old English name Rǣdwulf, and it has close relatives in Old Norse and in the Norman French Radulf. The first part is usually linked to a word for advice or counsel and the second to wulf, wolf. The Normans brought their form to England, and over the centuries it wore down to Ralph. Raoul in French and Raúl in Spanish belong to the same family.
In Britain it was long said “Rafe”, which is why that spelling also exists as a separate name. Most people in Ireland today say it as it is written, to rhyme with “Alf”.
Ralph has been given steadily in Ireland throughout the CSO records, never in large numbers. Its best rank was number 171 in 1966, while its busiest year was 2019, with 13 boys. In 2025, 10 boys were named Ralph. In Northern Ireland it reached number 193 in 2020.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Ralph (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ralph
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ralph | 10 | 294 |
In Northern Ireland
#270 in 2025 with 6 babies. Best rank #193 (2020); 87 babies since 2006.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.