| Wolfgang | Rolf | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | wolf path | famous wolf |
| Origin | germanic | germanic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | VOLF-gahng | ROLF |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 0 | 0 |
| Peak year | 2021 (148) | 1960 (96) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Rising | Vintage |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Wolfgang | Rolf |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 786 | 25 |
| 2010s | 1,002 | 10 |
| 2000s | 508 | 19 |
| 1990s | 468 | 75 |
| 1980s | 98 | 89 |
| 1970s | 104 | 234 |
| 1960s | 120 | 662 |
| 1950s | 102 | 663 |
| 1940s | 5 | 434 |
| 1930s | 19 | 419 |
| 1920s | 8 | 297 |
| 1910s | 0 | 176 |
From the Germanic elements 'wolf' ('wolf') and 'gang' ('path, journey, going'), usually read as 'wolf's path' or 'wolf journey'. Borne by the 10th-century Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg and by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Contracted form of the Germanic/Old Norse Hrodwulf (Hrolfr), from 'hrod' ('fame') and 'wulf/ulfr' ('wolf'), meaning 'famous wolf'. Shares its root with Rudolph and Raoul.
Wolfgang and Rolf are given to a similar number of US babies today.
Wolfgang means wolf path (germanic origin), while Rolf means famous wolf (germanic origin).
In US records, Wolfgang first appears in 0 and Rolf in 0, so Wolfgang has the longer recorded history.