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. * Rádhulbh, the traditional variant form in Irish.

Given name

Middle Ages

Ralph the Timid Ralph the Timid, also known as Ralf of Mantes (died 1057), was Earl of Hereford between 1051 and 1055 or 1057. His mother was Godgifu, the daughter of King Æthelred the Unready and his second wife Emma. His father was Drogo of Mantes, Count o ...

(died 1057), pre-Conquest Norman earl of Hereford, England *

Ralph de Gael Ralph de Gaël (otherwise Ralph de Guader, Ralph Wader or Radulf Waders or Ralf Waiet or Rodulfo de Waiet; before 1042c. 1100) was the Earl of East Anglia (Norfolk and Suffolk) and Lord of Gaël and Montfort (''Seigneur de Gaël et Montfort'') ...

(1042–1096), the Earl of East Anglia (Norfolk and Suffolk) and Lord of Gaël and Montfort, leader of the

Revolt of the Earls The Revolt of the Earls in 1075 was a rebellion of three earls against William I of England (William the Conqueror). It was the last serious act of resistance against William in the Norman Conquest. Cause The revolt was caused by the king's refu ...

* 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 Ralph de Warneville (died 1191; sometimes Ralph de VarnevilleTurner and Heiser ''Reign of Richard Lionheart'' pp. 178-179 or Ralf of WannevillePowicke ''Loss of Normandy'' p. 70) was the twentieth Lord Chancellor of England as well as later Bish ...

(died 1191), twentieth Lord Chancellor 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 and French campaign in Egypt and Syria * 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 ecclesiastical buildings, often in the Gothic Revival style. Cram & Ferguson and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson are partner ...

(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 radio personality, personality from San Francisco, California. Along with former NBA player Tom Tolbert, Barbieri hosted the afternoon sports radio show ''The Razo ...

(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 Ralf Becker (born 26 September 1970) is a German former football player and coach who works as the sports director of Dynamo Dresden. Playing career Becker spent a significant portion of his time as a youth player with VfB Stuttgart, as well ...

(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 Ralph Johnson Bunche (; August 7, 1904 – December 9, 1971) was an American political scientist, diplomat, and leading actor in the mid-20th-century decolonization process and US civil rights movement, who received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize f ...

(1903–1971), American political scientist, academic and diplomat *

Ralph Burns Ralph Joseph P. Burns (June 29, 1922 – November 21, 2001) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Early life Burns was born in Newton, Massachusetts, United States, where he began playing the piano as a child. In 1938, he attend ...

(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 Ralph Hosea Chaplin (1887–1961) was an American writer, artist and labor activist. At the age of seven, he saw a worker shot dead during the Pullman Strike in Chicago, Illinois. He had moved with his family from Ames, Kansas to Chicago in ...

(1887–1961), American writer, artist and labor activist * Ralph Chase (1902–1989), American football player *

Ralph Louis Cohen Ralph Louis Cohen (born 1952) is an American mathematician, specializing in algebraic topology and differential topology. Career Cohen received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in 1973 and his Ph.D. in 1978 from Brandeis Uni ...

(born 1952), American mathematician *

Ralph Connor 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 ...

(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 (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 (1803—1882), American essayist, lecturer and poet * Ralph Fiennes (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 Alvin Heywood (September 11, 1921 – April 10, 2007) was an American American football player. He played college football at University of Southern California (USC) and professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and the All-Amer ...

* 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 five ...

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 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 ...

(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 * 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 co ...

(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 (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 (born 1934), American political activist, author, lecturer and attorney * Ralph Nichols (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 (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 (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 Joshua "Josh" Ralph (born 27 October 1991) is an Australians, Australian middle-distance runner. He was a participant at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games and is a current Oceanian Record holder in the 4 ...

(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), 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 This is a list of fictional characters from the HBO series ''The Sopranos'', its video game '' The Sopranos: Road to Respect'' and its prequel film ''The Many Saints of Newark.'' Main characters Cast table Main character biographies Tony Soprano ...

, on ''The Sopranos'' *

Ralph Furley ''Three's Company'' is an American sitcom television series that aired for eight seasons on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from March 15, 1977, to September 18, 1984. It is based on the British sitcom ''Man About the House''. The story revo ...

, 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 ''A Christmas Story'' is a 1983 Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark and based on Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book '' In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash'', with some elements from his 1971 book ''Wanda Hickey's ...

'' * Ralph Theodore Guard, a security guard at Warner Bros. in the animated series '' Animaniacs'' * 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 * Ralph Rackstraw in the comic opera '' H.M.S. Pinafore'' * Sir Ralph Shawcross from the TV series ''

You Rang, M'Lord? ''You Rang, M'Lord?'' is a BBC television sitcom written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, the creators of ''Dad's Army''. It was broadcast between 1990 and 1993 on the BBC (although there had earlier been a pilot episode in 1988). The show was s ...

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

References