Boy name · Old Norse
Ulf
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: a wolfUlf is a boy's name that comes from Old Norse and means "a wolf". It is used in Scandinavian and German.
- Meaning
- A wolf
- Origin
- Old Norse
- Gender
- Boy
- Letters
- 3
Meaning and origin of Ulf
As a boy's name, Ulf comes from Old Norse and means "a wolf". It is used in Scandinavian and German.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Ulf on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Ulf on 3 lists.
“Wolf; Swedish, Norwegian and Danish”
From Names that mean wolf, boy names that mean wolf
“A wolf; Old Norse, short and fierce”
From Strong boy names, strong boy names meaning lion, bear, wolf or eagle
“Wolf; one of the most common Viking-age names”
From Viking names, viking names from animals and nature
How popular is Ulf?
- Recent US rank
- Fewer than 5 babies in 2025
- Best rank
- #4,398 in 1965
- 5 babies that year
- Babies since 1965
- At least 5
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
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| 2020s | 0 per million |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Names spelled like Ulf
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- UdoWealth, fortune (Germanic, boy)
- UeliHeritage and power (Germanic, boy)
- UgoHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
- UriMy light (Hebrew, boy)
- UrsBear (Latin, boy)
- UtzHeritage and power (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- ConanLittle hound or little wolf (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- FaolánLittle wolf (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- IngolfIng's wolf (Old Norse, boy)
- PhelanLittle wolf (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- RodolfoFamous wolf (Germanic, boy)
- RolfFamous wolf (Germanic, boy)
- RudolphFamous wolf (Germanic, boy)
- RudyFamous wolf (Germanic, boy)
- AdolfoNoble wolf (Germanic, boy)
- ÆthelwulfNoble wolf (Old English, boy)
Middle names for Ulf
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
- AltonTown at a river's source (Old English, boy)
- AndersonSon of Andrew (English, boy)
- AsherHappy, blessed (Hebrew, boy)
- BurtonFortified town (Old English, boy)
- EmmanuelGod with us (Hebrew, boy)
- GeorgeFarmer, earth worker (Greek, boy)
- JosiahYahweh supports (Hebrew, boy)
- LangstonLong stone (Old English, boy)
More boy names from Old Norse
- ErikEternal ruler (Old Norse, boy)
- SvenBoy, young man (Old Norse, boy)
- BjörnA bear (Old Norse, boy)
- HaraldArmy ruler (Old Norse, boy)
- HolgerIsland spear (Old Norse, boy)
- IvorYew warrior (Old Norse, boy)
- OdinFrenzy, inspiration (Old Norse, boy)
- RaghnallCounsel ruler (Old Norse, boy)
- RonaldCounsel ruler (Old Norse, boy)
- SigmundVictory protection (Old Norse, boy)
Ulf: common questions
What does the name Ulf mean?
Ulf comes from Old Norse and means "a wolf".
Is Ulf a boy or girl name?
Ulf is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Ulf come from?
Ulf comes from Old Norse and means "a wolf". Today it is used in Scandinavian and German.
What names are similar to Ulf?
Names spelled like Ulf include Udo, Ueli, Ugo, Uri and Urs.
What middle names go with Ulf?
Middle names that flow well with Ulf include Alton, Anderson, Asher, Burton and Emmanuel. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.