Ralph

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Ralph, shortened from Radulf, is of Old English (Old Norse) origin meaning "wolf counsel." The name also has ties to Germany, Sweden, and Denmark (Ralf), France (Raoul), Spain (Raul), Portugal (Raul), Scandinavia, Canada and America. Ralf also means "red wolf."

The spelling "Ralph" took hold in the 18th century after being primarily spelled "Ralf" in the 16th century. Previously, the name took the forms of Rauf, Raff, and Rafe in the Middle Ages, after evolving from its' original derivations of Radulf and Rathulf.

Ralf was introduced to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans.

POPULARITY

According to the 1990 U.S. Census, Ralph is the 62nd most common male first name and the 3217th most common last name. The male name has maintained a rank in the 1,000 most popular U.S. names since 1880. According to U.S. Census data, the height of the frequency of the name Ralph occurred in 1910. The frequency of the name Ralph in the United States has declined steadily since 1910.

FACTS

• A common, current definition of the term ralph is to vomit.
• Ralph Fiennes (and Ralph Vaughan Williams) insist(ed) their names are (were) pronounced "Rafe"

NAMESAKES

• Ralph is the name of an Australian men's magazine first published in 1997.
• Ralph Lauren is a clothing line for men and women, named after its creator.
• RALPH - Royal Association for the Longevity and Preservation of the Honeymooners.
• RALPH - Resource Allocation Planning Helper (NASA).

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Ralph Waldo Emerson - 19th century author (poet, essayist), philosopher and transcendentalist.
• Ralph Nader - Attorney, activist, environmentalist and Green Party candidate who ran for President of the United States of America four times (1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004).
• Ralph Lauren - Fashion designer and business mogul founder of the self-named clothing company.
• Ralph Fiennes - Television and film actor nominated for Oscar awards for his roles in The English Patient and Schindler's List.
• Ralph Macchio - Film and television actor made famous for his roles in the Karate Kid movies.
• Ralph Vaughan Williams - English composer specializing in symphonies, opera and film scores.
• Ralph Cramden - Television show "The Honeymooners" character, played by Jackie Gleason.
• Ralph Wiggum - Television show "The Simpsons" character, son of Police Chief Wiggum, voiced by Nancy Cartwright.
• Ralph Bellamy - Prominent actor and founding member of the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) in 1933. He received an honorary Oscar award in 1987 for distinguished service to his profession.
• Ralph Edwards - Radio and television host.
• Ralphie - Lead boy in the comedy movie A Christmas Story.
• Ralph Waldo Ellison - National Book Award winning author (1953) named after Ralph Waldo Emerson.
• Ralph Waldo Rose - American shot putter who refused to dip the U.S. flag to salute King Edward VII.

NOTES

OTHER RALPH'S

Ralph James, Ralph Smith, Ralph Johnson, Ralph Williams, Ralph Jones, Ralph Brown, Ralph Davis, Ralph Miller, Ralph Wilson, Ralph Moore, Ralph Taylor, Ralph Aalgaard, Ralph Aanensen, Ralph Aarons, Ralph Aartun, Ralph Abadir, Ralph Abajian, Ralph Abascal, Ralph Abatiell, Ralph Abbate, Ralph Abbinante, Ralph Abbraccio, Ralph Abbring, Ralph Abdalla, Ralph Ankiewicz, Ralph Aaland, Ralph Aamold, Ralph Abad, Ralph Aab, Ralph Aadland, Ralph Aalders, Ralph Aardema, Ralph Aaron, Ralph Aasbrein, Ralph Aaseth, Ralph Abagis, Ralph Aballo, Ralph Abalos, Ralph Abante, Ralph Abasa, Ralph Abatay, Ralph Abate, Ralph Abato, Ralph Abaya, Ralph Abbatiello, Ralph Abbenante, Ralph Abbey, Ralph Abbondanza, Ralph Abbott, Ralph Abdill, More results

Author: Rich Kachold