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Rodolfo Boy

Popularity: #800 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationroh-DOL-foh / roʊˈdɔlfoʊ

Spanish; Italian

Meaning

Famous wolf (Spanish); renowned wolf (Italian)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rodolfo has its roots in the Germanic elements "hrod," meaning "fame," and "wulf," meaning "wolf." This name evolved through various linguistic stages, beginning with the Old High German form "Hruodolf." It was later adapted into Latin as "Rudolphus," which subsequently influenced its forms in Romance languages. The name entered the English language through the Old French "Raoul" and the Latinized versions, ultimately becoming Rodolfo in Italian and Spanish contexts. The transition into English saw the name often rendered as Rudolph, particularly in literary and cultural references.

Historically, the name Rodolfo has been borne by several notable figures, including saints and royalty. One significant figure is Saint Rodolfo, a 9th-century bishop of Bourges, who was canonized and became a prominent religious figure in medieval Europe. The name gained further recognition through the legendary figure of Rudolph of Habsburg, who became King of Germany in the late 13th century and was a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Habsburg dynasty. Additionally, the name appears in various literary works, such as the 19th-century poem "Rudolph" by the German poet Heinrich Heine, which contributed to its cultural resonance.

Culturally, Rodolfo is often associated with themes of bravery and nobility, reflecting the qualities attributed to the wolf in Germanic mythology. The name has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including operas and films, which have helped to sustain its presence in cultural narratives. The diminutive form "Rudy" has also emerged in some contexts, though it is less historically significant than the full name. Overall, Rodolfo carries a rich historical and cultural legacy, embodying a blend of linguistic evolution and symbolic meaning.

Trend Summary

Rodolfo has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable presence in Hispanic communities.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Rodolfo
  • Rudy

International Variants

  • Rodolphe (French)
  • Rudolfo (Italian)
  • Rudolf (German)

Famous people named Rodolfo

Rodolfo Llinás is a neuroscientist best known for his work on the physiology of neurons and the brain's electrical activity.

Rodolfo Pizarro is a Mexican professional footballer best known for playing with teams like Monterrey and the Mexican national team.

Rodolfo R. de la Torre is a prominent Mexican artist known for his contributions to contemporary art and installations.

Fictional characters named Rodolfo

Rodolfo is a fictional character from the opera La Bohème. He is a passionate poet who falls in love with the beautiful seamstress Mimì.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rodolfo was first seen in the United States in 1902. Rodolfo has ranked as high as #607 nationally, which occurred in 1981, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, Arizona, and Florida. In the past 5 years the name Rodolfo has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Rodolfo (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 40
43%
CA 32
34%
AZ 11
12%
FL 6
6%
IL 5
5%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19025
19047
19069
19078
19086
19095
191011
19119
191219
191331
191430
191545
191640
191754
191853
191967
192073
192191
192293
1923118
1924126
1925173
1926182
1927218
1928226
1929207
1930203
1931163
1932145
1933137
1934148
1935145
1936131
1937115
1938120
1939126
1940122
1941131
1942144
1943171
1944162
1945200
1946233
1947212
1948228
1949250
1950265
1951299
1952303
1953341
1954342
1955297
1956285
1957299
1958304
1959296
1960318
1961302
1962319
1963282
1964322
1965318
1966311
1967331
1968316
1969281
1970393
1971351
1972385
1973374
1974384
1975451
1976427
1977414
1978431
1979443
1980563
1981610
1982552
1983475
1984443
1985470
1986560
1987507
1988438
1989559
1990575
1991574
1992593
1993580
1994599
1995540
1996546
1997508
1998579
1999571
2000587
2001494
2002452
2003494
2004489
2005497
2006497
2007426
2008355
2009303
2010301
2011258
2012221
2013228
2014225
2015228
2016195
2017172
2018183
2019155
2020142
2021138
2022138
2023130
2024124