Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Rodolfo

Rodolfo is the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese equivalent of Rudolf, originating from the German “Hrōdwulf” created from the Germanic elements “hrod” meaning “fame” and “wulf” meaning “wolf”. Therefore the name Rudolf/Rodolfo means “wolf of renowned” or “famous wolf”. Rudolf was an important name in medieval Germany having been associated with the Hapsburg dynasty starting with the 13th century Rudolf von Habsburg, the first Hapsburg King of the Germans, to the 19th century Archduke Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary and heir to the Emperorship. So the powerful European Hapsburg monarchy basically started and ended with a Rudolf. This is because the Prince never assumed the Emperor role for which he had been groomed his whole life. Instead, at the age of 30, Rudolf died under mysterious circumstances in an apparent murder-suicide pact with his 17 year old mistress (an event that made international headlines). Because Rudolf’s father, Emperor Franz Joseph I, only had one son (i.e., Prince Rudolf), the next in line to the throne was the Emperor’s brother who renounced his succession. The next heir-apparent was the brother's son, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Rudolf’s cousin). Franz Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914 would set in motion World War I and, as they say, the rest is Hapsburg history. Rodolfo has been used among the Italians, Spanish and Portuguese since the Middle Ages. The popularity of the name among Italians may have been influenced by the Puccini opera La bohème (1896), one of the most frequently performed operas in the world. It’s about a group of bohemians in 1830 Paris, centrally focused on the love story between Rodolfo and Mimi.

All About the Baby Name – Rodolfo

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME RODOLFO

The number Four personality is marked by stability and discipline. This is the personality that follows the rules and is conservative by nature.  They have an earth-bound energy that prefers to build things methodically on top of firm foundations; they don't cut corners. Fours take their time and don't like to be hurried. But the outcome of their endeavors is likely to result in some strong and useful structure, which makes them great engineers and inventors. Fours are anything but frivolous or controversial. This is a trustworthy, straight-forward personality that embodies dedication and organization. They are the backbone and anchor in their relationships, careers and communities. They are tidy, punctual, and full of integrity. Hard-work comes naturally to a Four and they are immensely reliable. This is the personality you can always count on.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME RODOLFO

The Italian and Spanish Rodolfo limped onto the American male naming charts in the early 1900s and initially showed little promise. Then between 1919 and 1927, the name jumped over 500 positions on the charts. This was most likely influenced by matinée idol and silent film star Rudolph Valentino (1898-1926) who was immensely popular in the 1920s. Incidentally, Valentino was born in Italy with the birth name Rodolfo. His life was cut short at the age of 31 by the inflammation and collapse of his lungs following appendicitis surgery. A nation mourned his death, and Americans of Italian and Spanish descent embraced the name Rodolfo. The name stayed in fairly steady usage as the decades continued, likely sustained by the growing Hispanic-American population. However, in recent years, especially since the turn of the 21st century, Rodolfo has been falling more dramatically on the charts. Even among Spanish speaking Americans Rodolfo is not a top choice or even a moderate one.

Quick Facts

ON RODOLFO

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Italian

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

907

PRONUNCIATION:

ro-DOL-fo

SIMPLE MEANING:

Famous wolf

Characteristics

OF RODOLFO

Dependable

Solid

Practical

Hard-working

Industrious

Studious

Conservative

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Rodolfo

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME RODOLFO

Rodolfo is the hero of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved and much performed 1896 four-act opera, La boheme (itself adapted from a novel of vignettes by Henri Murger, Scenes de la vie de boheme, based upon his own experiences in Paris in the 1840’s). Rodolfo is a poor and struggling young poet who meets and falls in love with the beautiful Mimi, a seamstress who lives in the same building as he. Although they try with all their hearts to remain together, their grinding poverty forces the chivalrous Rodolfo to make a wrenching decision – he leaves the grievously ill Mimi so that she may find a man who can provide for her financially. She does so, but in the last stages of consumption she returns to the garret room of Rodolfo so she may die in his arms. Rodolfo has proven himself to be a true poet of life; he has embraced it in all its fullness, to include poverty and death as well as love and joy.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME RODOLFO

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Rodolfo


Popular Songs

ON RODOLFO

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Rodolfo


Famous People

NAMED RODOLFO

Rodolfo Neri Vela (astronaut, first Mexican to travel in space)
Rodolfo Dantas Bispo (Brazilian footballer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED RODOLFO

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Rodolfo

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME RODOLFO

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Rodolfo