Ralph (pronounced RALF; or RAYF,) is a male given name of English, Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Old English Rædwulf and Radulf, cognate with the Old Norse Raðulfr (rað "counsel" and ulfr "wolf").The most common forms are: Ralph, the common variant form in English, which takes either of the given pronunciations. Rafe, variant form which is less common; this spelling is always pronounced , as are all other English spellings without "l". Raife, a very rare variant. Raif, a very rare variant. Ralf, the traditional variant form in Dutch, German, Swedish, and Polish. Ralfs, the traditional variant form in Latvian. Raoul, the traditional variant form in French. Raúl, the traditional variant form in Spanish. Raul, the traditional variant form in Portuguese and Italian. Raül, the traditional variant form in Catalan. Rádhulbh, the traditional variant form in Irish.