Rolfe
A boy's name of Norse origin with 543 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Rolfe is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, an anglicization of the Norse name Hrólfr, composed of hróðr (fame, glory) and ulfr (wolf), meaning 'famous wolf' or 'glorious wolf.' The name traveled to England with the Normans, who were themselves descended from Norse settlers.
Rolfe carries the fierce Norse heritage of the wolf combined with the aspiration of fame — a name for someone who moves with wild intelligence and earns renown. Historically, John Rolfe was the English colonist who married Pocahontas, linking the name to one of early American history's most famous encounters.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Rolfe belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the Norse naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Norse names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Rolfe’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rolfe has 52+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1912.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 11 | #5328 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 59 | #3694 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 148 | #2182 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 101 | #2595 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 98 | #2725 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 75 | #2980 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 51 | #2542 | — |
The Story of Rolfe
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1955, Rolfe is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Rolfe are most likely born between 1945 and 1965.
How rare is Rolfe?
With 543 total births on record, Rolfe remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1912, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 148 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Rolfe by the numbers
- Would fill 11 school buses
- Meeting one Rolfe per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(52 years, 1912–1974)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 5 | #5840 |
| 1971 | 6 | #4815 |
| 1969 | 5 | #4902 |
| 1967 | 6 | #3896 |
| 1965 | 11 | #2588 |
| 1964 | 5 | #4502 |
| 1963 | 7 | #3589 |
| 1962 | 6 | #3956 |
| 1961 | 12 | #2519 |
| 1960 | 7 | #3601 |
| 1959 | 10 | #2785 |
| 1958 | 11 | #2613 |
| 1957 | 11 | #2612 |
| 1956 | 15 | #2153 |
| 1955 | 20 | #1778 |
| 1954 | 15 | #2100 |
| 1953 | 16 | #2022 |
| 1952 | 16 | #1993 |
| 1951 | 18 | #1825 |
| 1950 | 16 | #1937 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rolfe a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rolfe most popular?
How popular is the name Rolfe?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1912–1974