Rolf

Rolf is a boy's first name that originally comes from the Old High German language. The name is a short form that arose from the contraction of the forms Rodolf or Rudolf.

What does the name Rolf mean?

Rolf is a boy's first name that originally comes from the Old High German language. The name is a short form that arose from the contraction of the forms Rodolf or Rudolf. It translates to 'the glorious wolf,' 'the famous wolf,' or 'the honorable wolf.' The traditional German name can be derived from the two word components hruod, which means 'glory' or 'honor,' and wolf, which literally means 'the wolf.' Traditionally, the word 'wolf' has often been associated with the following virtues: 'strength,' 'courage,' 'wisdom,' and 'unity.' The name Rolf is also commonly used as a surname. Due to Nordic influence, the first name became widely popular in the first half of the 20th century and was among the most frequently given male first names in Germany from 1920 to about 1960. After that, its popularity steadily declined. There are numerous variants of the name Roelf, including Hruodolf, Hrodulf, and Hruodulf (Old High German), Rudolph (English), Rudolphus, Rudolfo, Ridolfo, and Rudolpho (Italian), Rudolphe (French), Rudolfs (Latvian), Rudolfas (Lithuanian), Rudek (Polish and Czech), Rodolf (German and Dutch), Rodolfo (Italian and Spanish), Rodolphus (Latinized), Roelf (East Frisian and Dutch), Roluf (Low German), Roelof (Dutch), Roelef, Roele, Rolof, Roolof, and Roloff (Frisian), Rezso (Hungarian), Ruutolffi, Ruutolhvi, and Ruutolppi (Finnish), Rudolv (Swedish), Rodolphos and Rodolfos (Greek), Ruud (Dutch), Dusch, Riedi, Ruosch (Romansh), Rodolphe, Raulf, and Roux (French), Rudloff, Dolf, and Roff (German). The short forms include Rul (German), Rud (Danish and Swedish), Rolff (Danish), Rolph (English), Rulf (Scandinavian), Rufo (Spanish), Rulle (Swedish), Rolfe, Rolphe, Rutz (Old German), Rolo (Spanish), Rolle, and Roel (Dutch). Common pet forms include Rudi, Rudy, Rudey, Rudie, Ruedi, and Ruodi (Swiss), Rude (Slavic), Ruda (Czech), Rolfi, and Rudo.

Where does the name Rolf come from?

Etymology The boy's name Rolf is a shortened variant of the first name Rudolf. Its origin lies in the Old High German language area. The old German name is composed of the two word elements hruod for 'glory' or 'honor' and wolf for 'the wolf.' Old High German

How do you pronounce Rolf?

Sound & Pronunciation of Rolf: The name Rolf is monosyllabic and compact. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Rolf' [ʁɔlf], combining a darker vowel with a distinctive consonant cluster. The 'lf' at the end gives the name a firm, closed sound. Rolf appears robust and direct - factual, stable, and strong in character.

When is the name day of Rolf?

The name day for Rolf is April 17, June 26, July 15, and November 6.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Rolf was predominantly ranked between the Top 40 and Top 60 in the late 19th century. It was thus a regularly given, solid classic. In the 1910s and 1920s, it remained consistently in the Top 23 to Top 39 range, placing it in the upper midfield. From 1930, there was a significant upswing. In 1941, the name reached a Top 5 ranking at position 5, followed by a strong position at number 9 in 1947.

Nicknames & pet names

Arolf / Dolf / Golf / Ro / Rofel / Rofl / Rolfe / Rolfel / Rolfi / Rolfli / Rolfus / Rolfy / Rolle / Rollmops / Rotzkotz / Röfe / Rölfchen / Rölfje / Rüfe / Rüfä / Wolf

Famous people

• Rolf Aagaard (Norwegian photographer)
• Rolf Becker (* 1923), German writer
• Rolf Birkhölzer (American footballer)
• Rolf Bohnsack (1937–2009), German actor
• Rolf Bremmer (linguist from the Netherlands)
• Rolf Castell (Bavarian actor)
• Rolf Diethelm (ice hockey player from Switzerland)
• Rolf Erich Osterwalder (Hazy Osterwald, Swiss musician, singer, and orchestra leader)
• Rolf Furuli (writer)
• Rolf Hansen (Norwegian long-distance runner)
• Rolf Harrer (mountaineer and son of Heinrich Harrer)
• Rolf Hellmut Foerster (American historian)
• Rolf Herricht (German actor, comedian, musical & schlager singer from the former GDR)
• Rolf Hoppe (German actor (king in 'Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella'))
• Rolf Jacob Sartorius (Musical.ly star)
• Rolf Kassel (German footballer)
• Rolf Landsberg (chemist from Germany)
• Rolf Lendzian (German football player)
• Rolf Liebermann (American composer)
• Rolf Lübke (German footballer)