Meaning & History
Etymology
Rolf is a male given name originating from the Old German name Hrolf, a contraction of Hrodulf (see Rudolf). The name is composed of the Germanic elements hrod (meaning "fame") and wolf (meaning "wolf"), thus translating to "famous wolf". Its Old Norse cognate is Hrólfr. The Normans introduced Rolf to England after the Norman conquest, but it soon fell out of common use. In the modern era, it has occasionally been revived in English-speaking countries as a German or Scandinavian import.
Notable Bearers
Perhaps the most legendary bearer of the name is the Viking Rollo (sometimes Latinized as Rollo or Rolf), who became the first Duke of Normandy in 911. According to the Orkneyinga sagas, Rollo, also known as Gånge-Rolf, was a scion of the jarls of Orkney and captured Normandy in 911. The saga also mentions a Hrolf of Berg, who abducted Gói, the daughter of the jotun Thorri. Other notable historical figures include King Rolf of Sweden (also known as Hrólfr Kraki), a legendary Danish king from Old Norse literature, and Rolf the Ganger, another name for Rollo.
Cultural Significance
In the 20th century, the German comic book series Rolf & Silva and the Heimatfilm Rolf & Silva, as well as the musical works of Rolf Zuckowski, have kept the name visible in German-speaking countries. In popular culture, one of the most famous bearers is Rolf Harris, the Australian entertainer. In Anglo-American contexts, Rolf appears as a name lacking the popularity of some other Germanic imports, yet maintains a classic and robust character.
- Meaning: "Famous wolf"
- Origin: Old German, Ostnorse
- Type of name: Public choice, used as first-name and
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Rolf