Ralph (pronounced ; or ,) is a male given name of English, Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Old English ''Rædwulf'' and Radulf, cognate with the Old Norse ''Raðulfr'' (''rað'' "counsel" and ''ulfr'' "wolf"). The most common forms are: * Ralph, the common variant form in English, which takes either of the given pronunciations. * Rafe, variant form which is less common; this spelling is always pronounced , as are all other English spellings without "l". * Raife, a very rare variant. * Raif, a very rare variant. Raif Rackstraw from H.M.S. Pinafore * Ralf, the traditional variant form in Dutch, German,

Swedish Swedish or ' may refer to: Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically: * Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland ** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...

, and Polish. *

Ralfs John Ralfs (13 September 1807 – 14 July 1890) was an English botanist. Born in Millbrook, near Southampton, he was the second son of Samuel Ralfs, a yeoman of an old family in Hampshire. He has been commemorated in the names of many plant gro ...

, the traditional variant form in Latvian. * Raoul, the traditional variant form in

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

. * Raúl, the traditional variant form in Spanish. * Raul, the traditional variant form in Portuguese and Italian. * Raül, the traditional variant form in

Catalan Catalan may refer to: Catalonia From, or related to Catalonia: * Catalan language, a Romance language * Catalans, an ethnic group formed by the people from, or with origins in, Northern or southern Catalonia Places * 13178 Catalan, asteroid ...

. * Rádhulbh, the traditional variant form in Irish.

Given name

Middle Ages

* Ralph the Timid (died 1057), pre-Conquest Norman earl of Hereford, England * Ralph de Gael (1042–1096), the Earl of East Anglia (Norfolk and Suffolk) and Lord of Gaël and Montfort, leader of the Revolt of the Earls * Ralph de Diceto (c. 1120 – c. 1202), archdeacon of Middlesex, dean of St Paul's Cathedral (from c. 1180), and author of two chronicles, the ''Abbreviationes chronicorum'' and the ''Ymagines historiarum'' * Ralph d'Escures (died 1122), Abbot of Séez, Bishop of Rochester and Archbishop of Canterbury * Ralph Neville (died 1244), Archbishop of Canterbury *

Ralph de Maidstone Ralph of Maidstone (died 1245) was a medieval Bishop of Hereford. Life Nothing is known of Maidstone's background or upbringing. Although his year of birth is unknown, he was probably born before about 1195. He earned the title of ''magister'', ...

(died 1245), Bishop of Hereford * Ralph Baldock (died 1313), Bishop of London and Lord Chancellor of England in 1307 *

Ralph Stratford Ralph Stratford ( c. 1300–1354), also known as Ralph Hatton of Stratford, was a medieval Bishop of London. Early life Born in Stratford-on-Avon at the beginning of the fourteenth century, Stratford's parents may have been Thomas Hatton (of Wa ...

(c. 1300 – 1354), Bishop of London * Ralph de Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland (1364–1425), English peer * Ralph Percy (died 1464), English knight * Saint Ralph Sherwin (died 1581), Catholic saint and English martyr * Ralph de Warneville (died 1191), twentieth

Lord Chancellor The lord chancellor, formally the lord high chancellor of Great Britain, is the highest-ranking traditional minister among the Great Officers of State in Scotland and England in the United Kingdom, nominally outranking the prime minister. T ...

of England as well as later Bishop of Lisieux in Normandy

Modern world

* Ralph Abercromby (1734–1801), Scottish soldier and politician, one of the principal commanders of

French Revolutionary Wars The French Revolutionary Wars (french: Guerres de la Révolution française) were a series of sweeping military conflicts lasting from 1792 until 1802 and resulting from the French Revolution. They pitted France against Britain, Austria, Pruss ...

and

French campaign in Egypt and Syria The French campaign in Egypt and Syria (1798–1801) was Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign in the Ottoman territories of Egypt and Syria, proclaimed to defend French trade interests, to establish scientific enterprise in the region. It was the pr ...

* Ralph Abernathy (1927–1990), American civil rights leader, minister and a close associate of Martin Luther King, Jr. * Ralph Abraham (mathematician) (born 1936), American mathematician *

Ralph Abraham (politician) Ralph Lee Abraham Jr. (born September 16, 1954) is an American veterinarian, physician, and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2015 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he is a native and resident of Alto, Louisian ...

(born 1954), member of the US House of Representatives *

Ralph Adams Cram Ralph Adams Cram (December 16, 1863 – September 22, 1942) was a prolific and influential American architect of collegiate and Church (building), ecclesiastical buildings, often in the Gothic Revival architecture, Gothic Revival style. Cram and ...

(1863–1942), American architect of collegiate and ecclesiastical buildings *

Ralph Allen (disambiguation) Ralph Allen (1693–1764) was an English entrepreneur and philanthropist, notable for his reforms to the UK postal system. Ralph Allen may also refer to: *Ralph Allen (journalist) (1913–1966), Canadian journalist, editor, and novelist * Ralph G. ...

* Ralph Backstrom (1937–2021), Canadian hockey player * Ralph Bakshi (born 1938), American director of animated and live-action films *

Ralph Barbieri Ralph Louis Barbieri (October 28, 1945August 3, 2020) was an American sports radio personality from San Francisco, California. Along with former NBA player Tom Tolbert, Barbieri hosted the afternoon sports radio show ''The Razor and Mr. T'' on KN ...

(1945–2020), American sports radio personality * Ralph Henry Barbour, American novelist, who primarily wrote popular works of sports fiction for boys *Ralf Baartmans, Dutch DJ and Electronic music producer known as Ralvero * Ralph Bass (1911–1997), American rhythm and blues record producer and talent scout for several independent labels * Ralph Beard (1927–2007), American basketball player * Ralf Becker (born 1970), German footballer, coach and administrator * Ralph F. Beermann (1912–1977), American politician, member of the US House of Representatives * Ralph Bellamy (1904–1991), American actor * Ralf Bendix (1924–2014), German singer * Ralph Blane (1914–1995), American composer, lyricist and performer *

Ralf Bochröder Ralf Bochröder (born 8 July 1940) is a German former marathon runner, who won the 1975 Berlin Marathon. His wife Kristin won the women's event at the 1975 Berlin Marathon, making them the only couple to win both events. Personal life Bochr� ...

(born 1940), German marathon runner * Ralph Branca (1926–2016), American Major League Baseball pitcher * Ralph Brinkhaus (born 1968), German politician * Ralph Brown, English actor and writer * Ralph Bunche (1903–1971), American political scientist, academic and diplomat * Ralph Burns (1922–2001), American songwriter, bandleader, composer, conductor, arranger and bebop pianist * Ralph Byrd (1909–1952), American actor * Ralph Carmichael, composer and arranger of secular pop music and contemporary Christian music * Ralph Chaplin (1887–1961), American writer, artist and labor activist * Ralph Chase (1902–1989), American football player * Ralph Louis Cohen (born 1952), American mathematician * Ralph Connor (1860–1937), Canadian novelist and church leader * Ralph Connor (scientist) (1907–1990), American chemist * Ralph Cook (born 1944), Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court * Ralph Cooperman (1927–2009), British Olympic fencer * Ralph D. Cornell (1890–1972), American landscape architect * Ralph Cudworth (1572/3–1624), English scholar, cleric and theologian (father of Ralph Cudworth) * Ralph Cudworth (1617–1688), English philosopher, theologian, the leader of the Cambridge Platonists * Ralph DeLoach (1957–2022), American football player * Ralph Drollinger (born 1954), American basketball player and clergyman * Ralph Earl (1751–1801), American painter known for his portraits * Ralph Earle, several people *

Ralph Earnhardt Ralph Lee Earnhardt (February 23, 1928 – September 26, 1973) was an American stock car racer. He was the father of 7 time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, grandfather of Kerry Earnhardt, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Dale Earnhardt Jr ...

(1928–1973), American racing driver and patriarch of the Earnhardt racing family *

Ralph Edwards (disambiguation) Ralph Edwards (1913–2005) was an American radio and television host Ralph Edwards may also refer to: *Ralph Edwards (baseball) (1882–1949), American baseball infielder *Ralph Edwards (conservationist) (c. 1892–1977), British Columbia homestea ...

* Ralph Ellison (1913–1994), American novelist, literary critic and scholar *

Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803April 27, 1882), who went by his middle name Waldo, was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He was seen as a cham ...

(1803—1882), American essayist, lecturer and poet *

Ralph Fiennes Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes ( ; born 22 December 1962) is an English actor, film producer, and director. A Shakespeare interpreter, he excelled onstage at the Royal National Theatre before having further success at the Royal S ...

(born 1962), English actor and director * Ralph Foster (disambiguation) * Ralph A. Gamble (1885–1959), Republican politician who represented Westchester County, New York in the United States House of Representatives * Ralph Goldstein (1913–1997), American Olympic épée fencer * Ralph E. Gomory (born 1929), American applied mathematician and IBM executive * Ralph_Heywood * Ralph Horween (1896–1997), American football player for Harvard Crimson and in the NFL, centenarian * Ralf Hütter (born 1946), German musician * Ralph Ince (1887–1937), American pioneer film actor, director and screenwriter * Ralph Isselhardt (1910–1972), American football player *

Ralph B. Ives Ralph B. Ives (January 17, 1873 – January 2, 1934) was chairman and president of the Aetna#History, Aetna Fire Co. of Hartford from 1923 until September 1933, when he retired because of ill health. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford ...

(1973–1934), American businessman * Ralph Jackson (born 1962), American basketball player * Ralph Jarvis (born 1965), American player of gridiron football * Ralph Jodice, American Air force General, one of the principal commanders of

2011 military intervention in Libya On 19 March 2011, a multi-state NATO-led coalition began a military intervention in Libya, to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, in response to events during the First Libyan Civil War. With ten votes in favour and fiv ...

and Operation Unified Protector *

Ralph Johnson (disambiguation) Ralph Johnson may refer to: Sports *Ralph Johnson (basketball) (1921–2005), American professional basketball player * Ralph Johnson (footballer) (1922–2013), English footballer * Ralph Johnson (outfielder), American baseball player * Ralph John ...

* Ralph Jones (1880–1951), American high school and college football and basketball coach * Ralph Kerr (1891–1941), officer in the Royal Navy who served in First and Second World Wars, one of the principal commanders of

Battle of the Denmark Strait The Battle of the Denmark Strait was a naval engagement in the Second World War, which took place on 24 May 1941 between ships of the Royal Navy and the ''Kriegsmarine''. The British battleship and the battlecruiser fought the German battles ...

* Ralph Kiner (1922–2014), American Hall-of-Fame Major League Baseball player * Ralph Klein (1942–2013), Canadian politician, Premier of Alberta * Ralph Klein (basketball) (1931–2008), Israeli basketball player and coach * Ralph Knibbs (born 1964), British rugby union player * Ralph Kuncl, American neurologist and academic *

Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren, ( ; ; born October 14, 1939) is an American fashion designer, philanthropist, and billionaire businessman, best known for the Ralph Lauren Corporation, a global multibillion-dollar enterprise. He has become well known for his c ...

(born 1939), American fashion designer * Ralph Liguori (1926–2020), American racing driver * Ralph Macchio (born 1961), American actor * Ralph McQuarrie (1929–2012), American conceptual designer and illustrator, noted for his work in the ''Star Wars'' trilogy * Ralph Michael (1907–1994), English actor *

Ralf Moeller Ralf Rudolf Moeller (born Möller; ; 12 January 1959) is a German actor and former competitive bodybuilder. He is known for his roles of Brick Bardo in ''Cyborg'', Kjartan in ''The Viking Sagas'', the title character in the television show '' C ...

(born 1959), German actor *

Ralph Morgan Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (July 6, 1883 – June 11, 1956), known professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a Hollywood stage and film character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan. Early life Morgan was born in New York City, the ei ...

(1883–1956), American actor *

Ralph Morgan (rugby) Douglas Ralph Morgan ( 1920 – May 2009) was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Machen RFC, Cross Keys RFC, Newport Police RFC and Newp ...

(c.1920–2009), Welsh rugby union and league player *

Ralph Nader Ralph Nader (; born February 27, 1934) is an American political activist, author, lecturer, and attorney noted for his involvement in consumer protection, environmentalism, and government reform causes. The son of Lebanese immigrants to the U ...

(born 1934), American political activist, author, lecturer and attorney *

Ralph Nichols Ralph Cyril Fulford Nichols (12 August 1910 – 27 May 2001) was an English male international badminton player. Badminton career Nichols won 9 All England Open Badminton Championships titles between 1932 and 1939, 5 of them in men's singles, ...

(1910–2001), English badminton player * Ralph Nichols (American football) (1874–1949), American politician and college football player and head coach * Ralph Northam (born 1959), American politician * Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland (born 1956), English landowner * Ralph "Bucky" Phillips (born 1962), American fugitive * Ralf Rangnick (born 1958), German football coach and manager * Ralph Recto (born 1964), Filipino politician * Ralph David Richardson (1902–1983), English actor * Ralph Sadler (1507–1587), English diplomat, Privy Councillor, Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster * Ralf Schumacher (born 1975), German former racing driver *

Ralph Sheheen Ralph Sheheen (born August 23, 1964) is an American sports announcer. He is one of the lead broadcasters of NASCAR Xfinity Series on NBCSN, and was the lead commentator of Feld Entertainment's AMA Supercross Championship from 2006 until 2020. He ...

(born 1964), motorsport broadcaster *

Ralph Shortey Ralph Allan Lee Shortey (born February 16, 1982) is an American convicted sex offender and former politician and businessman. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 2010, defeating several challengers in pri ...

, (born 1982) American politician *

Ralph Siegel Ralph Siegel (born 30 September 1945) is a German record producer and songwriter. Siegel is one of the most notable figures at the Eurovision Song Contest, in which he has participated with 24 songs so far, among them the 1982 winner song Ein b ...

(born 1945), German record producer and songwriter * Ralph F. Smart, (1908–2001) British film producer and director * Ralph Stanley (1927–2016), American bluegrass/traditional music performer * Ralph Terry (born 1936), American former professional baseball player and golfer *

Ralph Dundas Tindal Tyndall (the original spelling, also Tyndale, "Tindol", Tyndal, Tindoll, Tindall, Tindal, Tindale, Tindle, Tindell, Tindill, and Tindel) is the name of an English family taken from the land they held as tenants in chief of the Kings of Engla ...

, Dutch military leader *

Ralph A. Vaughn Ralph A. Vaughn (1907–2000) was an African-American academic, architect and film set designer. Born in Washington, D.C., he was an assistant professor at Howard University before moving to Los Angeles, California, where he designed many buildi ...

(1907–2000), African-American academic, architect and film set designer *

Ralph Waite Ralph Waite (June 22, 1928 – February 13, 2014) was an American actor, best known for his lead role as John Walton Sr. on ''The Waltons'' (1972–1981), which he occasionally directed. He also had recurring roles in ''NCIS'' as Jackson Gibbs ...

(1928–2014), American actor and political activist * Ralph Waller (born 1945), Methodist Minister, former Principal of Harris-Manchester College, Oxford, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford University * Ralph Wammack (1867–1945), American politician, Missouri senator * Ralph Webb (American football) (born 1994), American football player *

Ralph Vaughan Williams Ralph Vaughan Williams, (; 12 October 1872– 26 August 1958) was an English composer. His works include operas, ballets, chamber music, secular and religious vocal pieces and orchestral compositions including nine symphonies, written over ...

(1872–1958), English composer * Ralph Wilson (1918–2014), founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills National Football League team * Ralf Wolter (1926–2022), German actor * Ralph Yarborough (1903–1996), American politician, longtime senator from Texas *

Ralph Young (disambiguation) Ralph Young may refer to: * Ralph Young (American football, born 1946), American football coach * Ralph Young (baseball) (1888–1965), American baseball player * Ralph Young (singer) (1918–2008), American singer and actor * Ralph "Brigham" Youn ...

* Ralph Young (singer) (1918–2008), American singer and actor

Surname

* Bo Ralph (born 1945), Swedish linguist *

Brian Ralph Brian Ralph (born 1973) is an American alternative cartoonist. His illustrations have appeared in ''Wired'' and the ''New York Post''. His debut graphic novel, ''Cave-In'', was nominated for three Harvey Awards, one Eisner Award, and listed as one ...

(born 1973), American cartoonist * Caleb Ralph (born 1977), New Zealand rugby union footballer *

Damani Ralph Damani Ralph (born 6 November 1980) is a Jamaican retired footballer who played as a forward. His professional career spanned five years, two with Chicago Fire S.C. (2003–2004) and three with FC Rubin Kazan (2005–2007). He also earne ...

(born 1980), Jamaican football player * David Ralph (born 1972), Scottish field hockey forward * Dicky Ralph (1908–1989), Welsh international rugby player * Elena Ralph (born 1984), Miss Israel 2005 *

Elsie Reasoner Ralph Elsie Reasoner Ralph (April 25, 1878 – April 29, 1913) was an American war correspondent in Cuba and a sculptor. The first female war correspondent in US history, Ralph travelled to Cuba to cover the Spanish–American War , partof ...

(1878–1913), first female war correspondent in US history *

Glencora Ralph Glencora Ralph (born 8 August 1988) is an Australian water polo centre back/driver. She attended the Curtin University of Technology and is a dental therapist. She competes for the Fremantle Marlins in the National Water Polo League, and was on ...

(born 1988), Australian water polo player * Hanna Ralph (1888–1978), German actress * J. Ralph (born 1975), American composer, singer/songwriter and producer * Josh Ralph (born 1991), Australian athlete *

James Ralph James is a common English language surname and given name: * James (name), the typically masculine first name James * James (surname), various people with the last name James James or James City may also refer to: People * King James (disambigua ...

(died 1762), American-born English political writer, historian and reviewer * James Ralph (cricketer) (born 1975), English cricketer * Jessie Ralph (1864–1944), American actress * Kharis Ralph (born 1992), Canadian former ice dancer * Mark Ralph (field hockey) (born 1980), Scottish field hockey player * Michael Ralph (born c.1963), American actor and comedian * Nathan Ralph (born 1993), English footballer * Richard Ralph (born 1946), British ambassador *

Richard Ralph (Missouri politician) Richard F. Ralph (August 31, 1869 - October 2, 1949) was an American politician from Valley Park, Missouri, who served in the Missouri Senate as Republican floor. He was elected as prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, Missouri St. Lo ...

, American politician, Missouri senator *

Shea Ralph Shea Sydney Ralph (born March 12, 1978) is a former collegiate basketball player and current head coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team. She was previously an assistant coach at UConn from 2008 to 2021. Ralph was proficien ...

(born 1978), American basketball player and coach * Sheryl Lee Ralph (born 1956), American actress and singer

Fictional characters

* Ralph Cifaretto, on ''The Sopranos'' * Ralph Furley, on ''Three's Company'' * Ralph Kramden, portrayed by Jackie Gleason on ''The Honeymooners'' * Ralph Malph, on ''Happy Days'' * Ralph Wiggum, on ''The Simpsons'' * Ralph Jones, title character of '' King Ralph'', a 1991 American comedy film starring John Goodman * the title character of '' Ralph 124C 41+'', a 1911 science fiction novel * Ralph, in the

Wolf and Sheepdog Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog are characters in a series of animated cartoons in the Warner Bros. ''Looney Tunes'' and ''Merrie Melodies'' cartoons. The characters were created by Chuck Jones. Ralph Wolf has virtually the same character design as a ...

Warner Bros. cartoons * Ralph, from the comic strip ''

Drabble A drabble is a short work of fiction of precisely one hundred words in length."Winners ...

'' * Ralph, from the comic strip '' Sally Forth'' * Ralph Dring, in the UK sitcom ''Dear John'' * Ralph Drang, in the US sitcom ''Dear John'' * Wreck-It Ralph, the title character of the 2012 Disney computer animated film '' Wreck-It Ralph'' * Ralph, a dog in the animated film '' Balto III: Wings of Change'' * Ralph "Ralphie" Parker, main character/narrator of the 1983 Christmas movie '' A Christmas Story'' * Ralph Theodore Guard, a security guard at Warner Bros. in the animated series ''

Animaniacs ''Animaniacs'' is an American Animated series, animated Comedy television, comedy Musical film, musical television series created by Tom Ruegger for Fox Broadcasting Company's Fox Kids block in 1993, before moving to The WB in 1995, as part o ...

'' * Ralph, a giant wolf monster from the video game ''

Rampage Rampage may refer to: Places * Rampage Mountain, a mountain in Montana People * Quinton Jackson (born 1978; nicknamed "Rampage"), American mixed martial artist and actor * Randy Rampage (1960-2018), Canadian musician * Rampage (rapper) (born 1 ...

'' * The title character from the children's novel ''

The Mouse and the Motorcycle ''The Mouse and the Motorcycle'' is a children's novel written by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Louis Darling and published in 1965. It is the first in a trilogy featuring Ralph S. Mouse, a house mouse who can speak to humans (though typical ...

'' * Ralph Nickleby, uncle of Nicholas in the novel '' Nicholas Nickleby'' by

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...

* Ralph Rackstraw in the comic opera '' H.M.S. Pinafore'' * Sir Ralph Shawcross from the TV series '' You Rang, M'Lord?'' * Ralph Waldo Simpson, a character on the American television sitcom '' Gimme a Break'' * Ralph Hinkley "Hankley" from the TV series '' The Greatest American Hero'' * Ralph, the main protagonist in William Golding's 1954 novel ''

Lord of the Flies ''Lord of the Flies'' is a 1954 novel by the Nobel Prize-winning British author William Golding. The plot concerns a group of British boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island and their disastrous attempts to govern themselves. Themes ...

'', and also the two film adaptations: the 1963 film and the 1990 film. * Ralph, on '' Detroit: Become Human''

References