Rudolf

Rudolf

Rudolf ♂ From a Latinized version, Rudolphus, of the Germanic name Hrōdwulf (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 adventure stories The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and Rupert of Hentzau (1898), in which he is an English gentleman who bears a great physical resemblance to the King of Ruritania, to whom he is distantly related. He successfully impersonates the king for reasons of state. In the early 20th century the popularity of this name was further enhanced by the American silent-film actor Rudolph Valentino (1895–1926), born in Italy as Rodolfo di Valentina d'Antonguolla. It has not been used much in recent times, perhaps being inextricably associated with ‘the red-nosed reindeer’ of the Christmas song.

Variant: Rudolph.

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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Rudolf." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Rudolf." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Rudolf1.html

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Rudolf." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Rudolf1.html

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Rudolf

Rudolf 1858-89, Austrian archduke, crown prince of Austria and Hungary; only son of Emperor Francis Joseph and Empress Elizabeth. Upon his mysterious death at Mayerling near Vienna (officially declared a double suicide with his mistress, Baroness Maria Vetsera), his cousin Francis Ferdinand became heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.

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"Rudolf." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Rudolf." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Rudolf.html

"Rudolf." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Rudolf.html

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Rudolf

Rudolf ♂ Germanic: from Hrōdwulf, a compound of hrōd ‘fame’ + wulf ‘wolf’.

Also: Rodolf.

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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Rudolf." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Rudolf." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Rudolf.html

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Rudolf." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Rudolf.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport - Company Capsule.
News Wire article from: M2 Presswire; 6/6/2011
The day Rudolf got the sack.(News)
Newspaper article from: South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales); 12/24/2008
Forget winter, think summer Rudolf brings his Beach Party to library.(Neighbor)
Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 1/10/2008

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