How Many People Are Named Ralph?
Complete statistics for the name Ralph: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Ralph, an Old English name meaning counsel or wise, is rare but beloved, with just 1 in 2,333 Americans bearing it. That's around 141,463 people today, making it a unique choice. Most folks named Ralph are over 60, reflecting its status as a classic, old-school name.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, life-path number 1 represents leadership and independence.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 87All 415,322 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1921Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Ralph Through the Generations
Ralph peaked in popularity in 1921 when 8,902 babies were given this name, marking a high point in its history. Today, the majority of people named Ralph are over 60, with only 6,696 under 30, indicating a significant generational shift. The name's slow decline suggests it's becoming less common among younger parents, yet it remains cherished by those who grew up with it.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Ralph's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Ralph
How Many People Have the Name Ralph?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 7,753 people in the United States currently share the name Ralph. That works out to roughly 1 in every 42,751 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Ralph a Common or Rare Name?
Ralph is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Ralph Mean?
Ralph means "counsel" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Ralph in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Ralph Most Popular?
The name Ralph reached peak popularity in 1921, with 8,902 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Ralph?
Approximately 7,753 people named Ralph live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 7,753. That works out to roughly 1 in 42,751 Americans.
Is Ralph a rare name?
Ralph is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 42,751 Americans has this name.
What does the name Ralph mean?
Ralph means "counsel" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Ralph more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Ralph are male and 0% are female.
When was Ralph most popular?
Ralph peaked in 1921 with 8,902 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.