Is Randolph a boy's or girl's name?

Randolph is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 112 recorded births.

When was Randolph most popular?

Randolph reached its peak popularity in 1952 with 1,817 births that year. It is currently ranked #5588 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Randolph?

Randolph is currently ranked #5588 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 49,402 babies since 1880.

Randolph

An uncommon Germanic pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanicDeclining Also a pet name

#5588▼ 1815in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from the Germanic languages.

Randolph is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, from the Old High German Randwulf (via Old Norse), composed of rand (shield rim) and wulf (wolf), meaning 'wolf-shield' or 'shield wolf.'

With nearly 50,000 recorded births, Randolph is the more formal full form behind the nickname Randy — it has the distinguished character of a Victorian gentleman's name. Randolph Churchill (son of the Duke of Marlborough and father of Winston Churchill) gives it aristocratic British resonance. The name has a naturally commanding quality that made it popular across the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Compare Randolph with another name

Popularity Over Time

Randolph was #1873 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5588, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Randolph
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	113	#4681	▼
2010s	434	#2866	▼
2000s	799	#1753	▼
1990s	1,572	#915	▼
1980s	2,899	#522	▼
1970s	4,021	#395	▼
1960s	8,193	#271	▼
1950s	15,496	#181	▲
1940s	7,555	#224	▲
1930s	2,854	#328	▲
1920s	2,735	#356	▲
1910s	1,857	#339	▲
1900s	414	#327	▲
1890s	267	#365	▲
1880s	193	#418	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Randolph
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	17	#5588	-13 (-43.3%)
2023	30	#3773	+10 (50.0%)
2022	20	#4977	+2 (11.1%)
2021	18	#5284	-10 (-35.7%)
2020	28	#3783	+2 (7.7%)
2019	26	#4081	-13 (-33.3%)
2018	39	#3039	-3 (-7.1%)
2017	42	#2878	+6 (16.7%)
2016	36	#3211	-9 (-20.0%)
2015	45	#2708	-6 (-11.8%)
2014	51	#2483	+10 (24.4%)
2013	41	#2831	-5 (-10.9%)
2012	46	#2667	-13 (-22.0%)
2011	59	#2223	+10 (20.4%)
2010	49	#2541	-7 (-12.5%)
2009	56	#2343	-1 (-1.8%)
2008	57	#2318	-13 (-18.6%)
2007	70	#2015	-6 (-7.9%)
2006	76	#1819	+2 (2.7%)
2005	74	#1785	+8 (12.1%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Randolph as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Randolph has also been given to 112 girls in the U.S. since 1943.

Unranked

Current rank

112

Total births

1953

Peak year

Compare Randolph as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Randolph be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Randolph is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #5588. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Randolph has two lives

Randolph, the baby name

#5588boys

49,402 babies

Currently viewing

Randolph, the pet name

#21673pet name

2 pets

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology