Ludolf

Ludolf is a masculine given name of German origin. It derives from the Old High German Hlūdolf, formed from hlūd meaning “fame” and wulf meaning “wolf.” The name is attested in medieval German and Latin sources, with the Latinized form Ludolphus appearing in ecclesiastical and scholarly writings.

Historically, Ludolf has been used in German-speaking regions and appears in genealogical and historical documents. In modern times it is relatively rare as a given name, but it persists in onomastic studies and in references to historical figures. The name has given rise to variant spellings such as Ludolph and, in various languages, forms that preserve the same Germanic roots. Internationally, related forms include Ludovico (Italian) and Ludvig/Ludwig (German/Scandinavian), reflecting a shared heritage rather than a single direct translation.

Notable bearers of the name appear in medieval and early modern European records, often in Latinized form as Ludolphus in ecclesiastical or scholarly contexts, and as Ludolf/Ludolph in local sources. In literature and culture, Ludolf is sometimes used to evoke a classical or medieval Germanic character.

The name remains a reference point in studies of Germanic onomastics and historical naming practices, illustrating how Hlūdolf evolved into various regional spellings and forms over the centuries.

See also: Ludolph, Ludovico, Ludvig, Ludwig.