| Randolph | Rudolph | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | shield wolf | famous wolf |
| Origin | germanic | germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | RAN-dolf | ROO-dolf |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 0 |
| Peak year | 1952 (1,817) | 1927 (1,690) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Vintage | Vintage |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Randolph | Rudolph |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 133 | 170 |
| 2010s | 434 | 392 |
| 2000s | 799 | 589 |
| 1990s | 1,572 | 1,054 |
| 1980s | 2,900 | 1,703 |
| 1970s | 4,020 | 2,186 |
| 1960s | 8,195 | 3,535 |
| 1950s | 15,496 | 6,652 |
| 1940s | 7,555 | 6,553 |
| 1930s | 2,854 | 8,200 |
| 1920s | 2,735 | 12,561 |
| 1910s | 1,857 | 6,857 |
| 1900s | 414 | 1,339 |
| 1890s | 267 | 998 |
| 1880s | 193 | 652 |
From the Germanic/Old Norse name Randwulf (Rannulfr), combining 'rand' ('shield, rim') and 'wulf/ulfr' ('wolf'), meaning 'shield wolf'. Note some Norman forms became confused with Rannulf ('raven wolf').
From the Germanic name Hrodwulf, combining 'hrod' ('fame') and 'wulf' ('wolf'), hence 'famous wolf'. The '-olph/-olf' ending preserves the wolf element.
Randolph and Rudolph are given to a similar number of US babies today.
Randolph means shield wolf (germanic origin), while Rudolph means famous wolf (germanic origin).
In US records, Randolph first appears in 0 and Rudolph in 0, so Randolph has the longer recorded history.