Rudolf

Rudolf m

German, Dutch, Scandinavian, Polish, Czech, and English: from a Latinized version, Rudolphus, of the Germanic name Hrōdwulf (see ROLF (SEE Rolf)). It was introduced to the English-speaking world from Germany in the 19th century. Rudolf was a hereditary name among the Habsburgs, the Holy Roman Emperors and rulers of Austria, from the Emperor Rudolf I (1218–91) to the Archduke Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, who died in mysterious circumstances at his country house at Meyerling in 1889.

Rudolf Rassendyll was the central character of Anthony Hope's immensely popular adventure stories The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and Rupert of Hentzau (1898), in which he is an English gentleman who turns out to be the half-brother of the King of Ruritania, to whom he bears a great physical resemblance and whom he successfully impersonates for reasons of state. In the 20th century the popularity of this name was further enhanced by the American silent-film actor Rudolph Valentino (1895–1926), born in Italy as Rodolpho di Valentina d'Antonguolla. However, it is at present out of fashion.

Variants: German, Dutch: Rodolf. Dutch: Roelof (vernacular). English: Rudolph.

Cognates: French: Rodolphe. Italian, Spanish: Rodolfo.

Short forms: German: Rudi. Dutch: Ruud. English: Rudy.