Rolf
/rɒlf/noun
A masculine given name of Germanic and Scandinavian origin.
Did you know?Rolf is a shortened Scandinavian form of Hrólf, itself derived from Hróðwulf, the Old Norse counterpart of the Germanic name Hrodwulf.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*Hrōþiwulfaz
“Fame-wolf; a compound of renown and wolf”
Old Norse
Old Norse
Hrólfr
“A contracted form meaning fame-wolf”
Old Norse
Old Norse
Hrólf
“Personal name used in medieval Scandinavia”
Medieval Period
Old Danish
Rolf
“Shortened Scandinavian form of Hrólf”
Medieval Period
Old Swedish
Rolf
“A masculine personal name”
Modern English
English
Rolf
“A masculine given name borrowed from Scandinavian and German usage”