Rolf is a male

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

and a surname. It originates in the Germanic name ''Hrolf'', itself a contraction of ''Hrodwulf'' ( Rudolf), a conjunction of the stem words ''hrod'' ("renown") + ''wulf'' ("wolf"). The

Old Norse Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and t ...

cognate In historical linguistics, cognates or lexical cognates are sets of words in different languages that have been inherited in direct descent from an etymology, etymological ancestor in a proto-language, common parent language. Because language c ...

is ''Hrólfr''. An alternative but less common variation of ''Rolf'' in Norway is ''Rolv''. The oldest evidence of the use of the name Rolf in

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

is an inscription from the 11th century on a

runestone A runestone is typically a raised stone with a runic inscription, but the term can also be applied to inscriptions on boulders and on bedrock. The tradition began in the 4th century and lasted into the 12th century, but most of the runestones da ...

in Forsheda, Småland. The name also appears twice in the Orkneyinga sagas, where a scion of the jarls of Orkney, Gånge-Rolf, is said to be identical to the Viking Rollo who captured

Normandy Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...

in 911. This Saga of the Norse begins with the abduction of Gói daughter by a certain Hrolf of Berg, (the Mountain). She is the daughter of Thorri, a Jotun of Gandvik, and sister of Gór and Nór. The latter is regarded as a first king and eponymous anchestor of Nórway. After a fierce duell (Holmgang) where none is able to overcome the other, Hrolf and Nór become friends; Góí apparently was abducted willingly and marries Hrolf. Nór marries Hedda, Hrolf's sister. Goi may be identical, or reflect the story of the Jotunn and Åsynja Gefhjón who fools the Swedish King Gylfi of Uppsala, plowing the lands where the great lakes in Sweden are, making the island of Zealand (and some more of the Danish islands, but not Fyn) and establishes the high seat of the Scyldings at Lejre (Hliðarbru) the proposed main artificial island. Hroðulf of the Beowolf epic may be conferred as well as the Saga of Hrolf Kraki. Rolf is a first name or part of a

double name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

or a longer name in Sweden,

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...

and

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

, and to a lesser extent in

Iceland Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its s ...

. In

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

the name Rolf is most popular in Sweden where, as of 2012, there were 54,737 people with Rolf as their first name or part of a double or a longer name. At the same time there were 511 people in Sweden with Rolf as their last name. As a given name, Rolf reached its peak in popularity in the decade of the 1960s.SCB Namnsök
/ref> The name day for Rolf in both Norway and Sweden is August 27. The Day for Rolf on the Finnish-Swedish calendar is March 6. Notable Rolfs or Hrolfs include:

Given names

* Hrólf Kraki, legendary king of Denmark * Göngu-Hrólfr, Norwegian jarl that ''Orkneyinga Saga'' identifies with Rollo, the Viking conqueror of Normandy *

Rolf Beeler Rolf Beeler is a Swiss affineur known for his raw milk artisan cheeses. He does not make cheese himself but collects terroir-based cheeses from small, artisanal, cheesemakers and then ages them to create the final product. Career Prior to bec ...

, Swiss cheese entrepreneur *

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (born 2 June 1962 in Lund, Sweden) is a Swedish show jumper. He won a silver medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in the individual jumping, and also a silver medal in the team jumping event at the 2004 Summer ...

(born 1962), Swedish equestrian jumper *

Rolf Benirschke Rolf Joachim Benirschke (born February 7, 1955) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the San Diego Chargers from 1977 until 1986. He is probably most known ...

(born 1955), American footballer and game show host *

Rolf Billberg Rolf Billberg (22 August 1930 – 17 August 1966) was a Swedish alto saxophone player active during the 1950s and 1960s. Biography Rolf Billberg was born in Lund, Sweden on 22 August 1930 and was raised by his mother in Gothenburg. At age 17, Bill ...

(1930–1966), Swedish musician *

Rolf de Heer Rolf de Heer (born 4 May 1951) is a Dutch Australian film director. De Heer was born in Heemskerk in the Netherlands but migrated to Sydney when he was eight years old.

(born 1951), Dutch-Australian film director *

Rolf Ekéus Carl Rolf Ekéus (born 7 July 1935 in Kristinehamn, Sweden) is a Swedish diplomat. From 1978 to 1983, he was a representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, and he has worked on various other disarmament committees and commissions. ...

, (born 1935), Swedish diplomat *

Rolf Ericson Rolf Ericson (August 29, 1922 – June 16, 1997) was a Swedish jazz trumpeter. He also played the flugelhorn. Yanow, Scott. Biography ''AllMusic'' Early career Ericson was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He moved to New York City in 1947 and, in 194 ...

(1922–1997), Swedish musician *

Rolf Falk-Larssen Rolf Falk-Larssen (born 21 February 1960) is a former speed skater. __NOTOC__ Representing Trondhjems Skøiteklub, Rolf Falk-Larssen made his international debut at the European Allround Championships of 1982 and he was in the lead after three ...

(born 1960), Norwegian speed skater *

Rolf G. Fjelde Rolf G. Fjelde (March 15, 1926 – September 10, 2002) was an American playwright, educator and poet. Fjelde was the founding president of the Ibsen Society of America which is dedicated to promoting academic and public interest in the work o ...

(1926–2002), American playwright, educator and poet *

Rolf Forsberg Rolf Forsberg (July 12, 1925 – February 16, 2017) was an American playwright, film and theater director. Biography Forsberg is known for directing films such as ''The Late Great Planet Earth'' and ''Parable'', a film produced for the ''1964 ...

(1925–2017), Swedish-American playwright, film and theater director *

Rolf Gindorf Rolf Gindorf (14 May 1939 – 26 March 2016) was a German sexologist. He was a member of Mensa. In 1971 he founded the German Society for Social-Scientific Sexuality Research. He received the 2004 Magnus Hirschfeld Medal The Magnus Hirschfeld ...

(1939–2016), German sexologist *

Rolf Gölz Rolf Gölz (born 30 September 1962) is a retired road and track cyclist from Germany, who was a professional rider from 1985 to 1993. He won the German National Road Race in 1985 and narrowly missed the podium in the 1987 UCI World Championship ...

(born 1962), German road and track cyclist *

Rolf Groven Rolf Dagfinn Groven (born March 11, 1943) is a Norway, Norwegian painter, known for his satirical art painted in figurative style. Groven's paintings are frequently printed works of art in textbooks used in Norwegian schools, as well as history boo ...

(born 1943), Norwegian painter * Rolf Harris (born 1930), former Australian entertainer *

Rolf Hauge (officer) Rolf Hauge (1915 – 1989) was a Norwegian army officer with the rank of colonel. Having participated in the 1940 Norwegian Campaign, opposing the German Operation Weserübung, invasion of Norway, he later served with the Norwegian Armed Forces ...

(1915–1989), Norwegian army officer * Rolf Hochhuth (1931–2020), German author and playwright *

Rolf Jacobsen (poet) Rolf Jacobsen (8 March 1907 – 20 February 1994) was a Norwegian writer. Jacobsen could be said to be the first modernist writer in Norway. Jacobsen's career as a writer spanned more than fifty years. He is one of Scandinavia’s most disting ...

(1907–1994), Norwegian author *

Rolf Kanies Rolf Kanies (born 21 December 1957) is a German actor who played many high-profile roles on the stage before switching to a career in film and television in 1997. Since then Rolf has specialized in German and international film and television. M ...

(born 1957), German actor *

Rolf Løvland Rolf Undsæt Løvland (born 19 April 1955) is a Norwegian composer, lyricist, arranger, and pianist. Together with Fionnuala Sherry, he formed the Celtic-Nordic group Secret Garden, in which he was the composer, producer, and keyboardist. He beg ...

(born 1955), Norwegian composer *

Rolf Mützelburg Rolf Mützelburg (23 June 1913 – 11 September 1942) was a German U-boat commander during World War II and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Mützelburg died on active service on 11 September 1 ...

(1913–1942), German U-Boat commander during World War II *

Rolf Nevanlinna Rolf Herman Nevanlinna (né Neovius; 22 October 1895 – 28 May 1980) was a Finnish mathematician who made significant contributions to complex analysis. Background Nevanlinna was born Rolf Herman Neovius, becoming Nevanlinna in 1906 when his fat ...

(1895–1980), Finnish mathematician *

Rolf Rheborg Rear Admiral Rolf Sigurdsson Rheborg (7 March 1922 – 8 August 1983) was a Swedish Navy officer. Rheborg served as head of the Royal Swedish Naval Academy (1969–1971), as head of Section 3 in the Naval Staff (1971–1973) and as Chief of Sta ...

(1922–1983), Swedish Navy rear admiral *

Rolf Roosalu Rolf Roosalu, also known as Rolf Junior (born 18 January 1982 in Tartu), is an Estonian Singing, singer who has participated in a number of musicals. He has also, yet unsuccessfully, competed to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest si ...

(''Rolf Junior''), Estonian singer *

Rolf Rämgård Rolf Rämgård (born 30 March 1934) is a former Swedish cross-country skier. He competed in the 15, 30 and 50 km events at the 1960 Winter Olympics and won a silver medal over 30 km and a bronze over 50 km. In the 1970's, Rämg� ...

(born 1934), Swedish politician and Olympic medalist in cross country skiing * Rolf Jacob Sartorius (born 2002), American singer and internet meme *

Rolf Steiner Rolf Steiner (born 3 January 1933) is a German retired mercenary. He began his military career as a French Foreign Legion paratrooper and saw combat in Vietnam, Egypt, and Algeria. Steiner rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel commanding the ...

(born 1933), Retired German mercenary *

Rolf Schläfli Rolf Schläfli (born March 15, 1971) is a retired male decathlete from Switzerland. He set his personal best score (8019 points) at the 2003 Hypo-Meeting in Götzis, Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria ...

(born 1971), Swiss decathlete *

Rolf Singer Rolf Singer (June 23, 1906 – January 18, 1994) was a Germany, German-born mycologist and one of the most important Taxonomy (biology), taxonomists of gilled mushrooms (agarics) in the 20th century. After receiving his Ph.D. at the University ...

(1906–1994), German mycologist *

Rolf Skoglund Rolf Fredrik Skoglund (11 August 1940 – 28 June 2022) was a Swedish actor. He won the Eugene O'Neill Award in 2007. References External links Rolf Skoglund on Swedish Film Database* Rolf Skoglund Dramaten The Royal Dramatic Theatr ...

(born 1940), Swedish actor *

Rolf Sørensen Rolf Sørensen (born 20 April 1965) is a former Danish professional road bicycle racer. He is currently working as a cycling commentator and agent. Born in Helsinge in Denmark, Sørensen moved to Italy at the age of 17, where he has lived since ...

(born 1965), Danish professional road bicycle racer *

Rolf Daniel Vikstøl Rolf Daniel Vikstøl (born 22 February 1989) is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a defender. Career After previously playing for the club Våg, he came to Start in 2007, and played occasional games for the first team in the 2008 season. On 9 ...

(born 1989), Norwegian footballer *

Rolf Wenkhaus Rolf Wenkhaus (9 September 1917 – 31 January 1942) was a German people, German child actor who is best remembered for his role of Emil Tischbein in the 1931 film ''Emil and the Detectives (1931 film), Emil and the Detectives''. Early life Born ...

(1917–1942), German actor * Rolf Widerøe (1902–1996), Norwegian particle physicist *

Rolf Wirtén Rolf Wirtén (born 4 May 1931) is a Swedish politician who held various ministerial posts, including the minister of economics and the budget, in the 1970s and 1980s. Biography Wirtén was born on 4 May 1931. He was a member of the Liberals. In ...

(born 1931), Swedish politician * Rolv Wesenlund (1936–2013), Norwegian actor *

Rolf M. Zinkernagel Rolf Martin Zinkernagel (born 6 January 1944) is Professor of Experimental Immunology at the University of Zurich. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1996 for the discovery of how the immune system recognizes virus-infe ...

(born 1944), Swiss Professor of Experimental Immunology, 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine *

Rolf Zuckowski Rolf Zuckowski (born 12 May 1947) is a German singer-songwriter. He has written and composed music especially for children, but his songs are very popular among adults, too. His compositions involve children in music throughout their childhood an ...

(born 1947), German singer-songwriter

Surname

Ernst Rolf Ernst Ragnar Johansson (20 January 1891– 25 December 1932), professionally known as Ernst Rolf was a Swedish actor, singer and composer and musical revue artist. Ernst Rolf. ''sv.wikipedia.org''. Retrieved: March 10, 2013. Rolf was born in Falun ...

(1891–1932), Swedish actor and singer. * Tom Rolf (1931–2014), Swedish-born American film editor, son of Ernst Rolf. * Ida P. Rolf (1896–1979), American biochemist and founder of Rolfing, a holistic health discipline

Fictional characters

* Rolf, a cranky cartoon tiger in the '' Animal Crossing'' game series * Rolf, a Peach Creek Cul-de-Sac kid from the Cartoon Network animated series '' Ed, Edd n Eddy'' * Rolf, tragic hero of '' Phantasy Star II'' * Rolf, a character in the '' Fire Emblem'' series * Rolf Gruber, the delivery boy (and Nazi volunteer) in the play ''

The Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers''. Se ...

'' *

Rowlf Rowlf the Dog is a Muppet character, a scruffy brown dog of indeterminate breed with a rounded black nose and long floppy ears. He was created and originally performed by Jim Henson. Rowlf is the Muppet Theatre's resident pianist on ''The Muppet ...

, an easy-going Muppet dog who plays the piano * Rolf, a German Shepherd dog from Polish film ''

Border Street ''Border Street'' (Polish:''Ulica Graniczna'') is a 1948 Polish drama film directed by Aleksander Ford and starring Mieczysława Ćwiklińska, Jerzy Leszczyński, Jerzy Złotnicki and Władysław Godik. The film depicts the Nazis' purge of Warsa ...

References

External links

ROLF
a list of acronyms {{given name Danish masculine given names German masculine given names Swedish masculine given names Norwegian masculine given names Scandinavian masculine given names Surnames from given names

Given names

Surname

Fictional characters

See also

References

External links