Raulf

Raulf is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname of Germanic origin. It appears in medieval European documents and continues to be used only rarely in modern times. In onomastic studies, Raulf is generally treated as a variant or cognate of Ralph and Raoul, forms that circulated widely in the Germanic and Romance-speaking parts of Europe through the Middle Ages.

The name is predominantly associated with Germanic linguistic areas and with regions influenced by Norman and Holy Roman Empire naming practices. Historical records from medieval times show Raulf in charters and ecclesiastical documents; its spelling varied according to local scribal traditions, yielding forms such as Ralph, Ralf, Raoul, and Raul in different languages.

Today, Raulf remains a rare personal name outside of specific genealogical or regional contexts. It is more commonly encountered as a surname in some families and in historical genealogies, rather than as a widespread contemporary given name.

Notable bearers of the name are not widely documented in general reference sources; the use of Raulf is largely of historical interest, with occasional appearances in fiction or as a family surname.

See also: Ralph, Raoul, Ralf, Ralph (name).