boy's name
Ranulph
RAN-ulf (English)
- Origin Old Norse
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 2
- Letters 7
- Popularity Uncommon
- Births on record 139
Ranulph is an English boy's name of Norse origin meaning "counsel wolf." It joins the Old Norse regin, "advice" or "decision," with ulfr, "wolf," and it reached England with the Normans. It's now rare and strongly linked to explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
- Ranulph is a name of Old Norse origin.
- Peaked in England and Wales in 2009, when 13 babies were given the name.
- It has been rising over the past decade in England and Wales.
- Today about 1 in 87,827 babies in England and Wales is given this name.
- First appears in birth records in 1999.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Ranulph Over Time
Births per decade in England and Wales, 1990s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2025.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 3 |
| 2000s | 28 |
| 2010s | 68 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 40 |
What Ranulph Means
Ranulph means counsel wolf or wise wolf. It brings together two prized qualities in Norse naming, sound judgment and an animal's ferocity, and it has the formal feel of an old aristocratic name.
Where Ranulph Comes From
The Old Norse name Reginulfr became common among Vikings who settled in Normandy, where it took the form Ranulf. Germanic languages had similar names, and it's a close relative of Randolph and Reynold in structure. After 1066 the Normans carried Ranulf to England, where it was borne by powerful men such as Ranulf Flambard, a chief minister of William II, and Ranulf de Gernon, Earl of Chester. Medieval forms varied widely.
Ranulph in Use
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the polar explorer, carries the name that his father also bore. For most modern readers he's the bearer they know.
How Popular Is Ranulph?
In 2025, Ranulph was given to 6 babies in England and Wales. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
Figures for England and Wales leave out any name given to fewer than three babies in a year, so a gap means the name fell below that floor rather than went unused. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Ranulph
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Ranulph Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Ranulph over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Ranulph
- English RAN-ulf
1 nickname for Ranulph
Each one is a name in its own right — the figure underneath is how it is doing today, so you can see which short forms are rising and which have faded.
Ranulph in Other Languages
The same name as it is spelled elsewhere — not shortenings, and not different names that merely sound alike. Each one has its own record here.
- Other forms
- Forms we hold no single language for — some are used across several, some are simply spelled differently.
- Randolph Ranulf
Sibling Names for Ranulph
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Ranulph — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Ranulph
What does the name Ranulph mean?
Counsel wolf, from the Old Norse regin and ulfr.
How do you pronounce Ranulph?
RAN-uhlf, with the ph sounding like an f.
Who is the most famous Ranulph?
Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
How popular is the name Ranulph?
In 2025, Ranulph was given to 6 babies in England and Wales. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
Is Ranulph a girl's or a boy's name?
Ranulph is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in Ranulph?
Ranulph has 2 syllables.
When was Ranulph most popular?
Ranulph peaked in 2009, when 13 babies were given the name. It has been rising over the past decade.
What are the nicknames for Ranulph?
Ranulph is usually shortened to Ran.
Is Ranulph a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Ranulph currently ranks #3,272 in England and Wales. It has been rising over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.