Rudolf

Rudolf is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements hrōd or hrod meaning fame or glory and wulf meaning wolf. The name has many spellings and variants, including Rudolf in German, Rudolph in English, and Rodolfo in Italian and Spanish; diminutives include Rudi or Rudy.

Historically, the name has been borne by European royalty and notable figures. Rudolf I of Germany (c. 1218–1291) was elected King of the Romans in 1273 and helped establish the rise of the Habsburg dynasty. Rudolf II (1552–1612), Holy Roman Emperor, was a notable patron of the arts and sciences. Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria (1339–1365), founded the University of Vienna and reinforced the dynasty’s prestige. In science and industry, Rudolf Diesel (1858–1913) engineered the diesel engine, and Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902) became a leading physician and pathologist. Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) founded anthroposophy, a spiritual-scientific movement, and Rudolf Nureyev (1938–1993) became an internationally renowned balletic performer.

In culture, the name appears in literature and film, and its close variant Rudolph is well known in English-speaking contexts. A widely recognized example is Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a Christmas character whose name has become iconic in popular culture, though the English spelling commonly uses Rudolph.

Today, Rudolf remains common in German-speaking regions and among communities with German heritage. Variants such as Rudolph are widespread in English-speaking countries, and the name can function as a given name and, less commonly, as a surname.