Ralphie

Ralphie is a diminutive of Ralph, which derives from the Old Norse Radulfr — a compound of rad (counsel) and ulfr (wolf), meaning wolf counsel or counsel of the wolf. The nickname form softens the name considerably, giving it a warm, slightly goofball quality. In popular culture Ralphie is forever the boy from A Christmas Story who just wants a BB gun.

Ralphie is a name that comes pre-loaded with warmth and gentle humor. It's the name of a dog who means well, tries hard, and occasionally gets into minor trouble through pure enthusiasm rather than any malicious intent. Medium-sized dogs with floppy ears and soulful eyes tend to be Ralphies. The name has a nostalgic American quality that makes it feel both familiar and affectionate. You simply cannot say 'Ralphie' without a small, involuntary smile, which is a powerful quality in a pet name.