Rudy
Meaning of Rudy
Pronounced ROO-dee, Rudy began life as the nimble nickname for the ancient Germanic–Italian Rodolfo/Rudolph, a union of hrōthi “fame” and wulf “wolf,” yet over the centuries he has shed the heavy armor of legend and now saunters through the piazza in rolled-up sleeves, more friendly trattoria host than fearsome lupine hero. Still, a glint of the old wildness remains: parents hear the distant howl of courage in the beloved football film “Rudy,” where grit outshines size, and children catch a wink of North-Pole magic—after all, he’ll only answer to “Rudolph” when Santa takes attendance. In the United States he’s been a steady guest at the naming table since the 1880s, rarely hogging the spotlight but never slipping offstage, most recently lounging around the mid-600s in popularity like a contented Nonno sipping espresso. Short, upbeat, and a shade cheeky, Rudy offers a compact passport to heritage and heart, marrying old-world fame with new-world friendliness in two bright syllables.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as ROO-dee (/ˈruːdi/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Rudy
| Rudy Giuliani - Rudolph Giuliani is a disbarred American lawyer and politician who served as New York City's mayor from 1994 to 2001. |
| Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel is a French NBA center famed as one of basketball's greatest defenders and nicknamed "the Stifle Tower." |
| Rudy Rucker - Rudolf von Bitter Rucker is an American mathematician and science fiction author who co-founded the cyberpunk movement and is renowned for his award-winning Ware Tetralogy. |
| Rudy Vallée was the first male singer to gain national fame as a crooner from local New York City radio broadcasts. |
| Rudy Fernández is a former Spanish basketball star who won multiple EuroLeague titles with Real Madrid and earned NBA All-Rookie honors. |
| Rudy Ray Moore was a comedian who created the Dolemite character and became known as the Godfather of Rap, later portrayed by Eddie Murphy in a film. |
| Rudy Tomjanovich - Rudolph Tomjanovich Jr. is a former NBA player and coach who won two championships with the Houston Rockets and led Team USA to Olympic gold in 2000. |
| Rudy Ruettiger - Daniel Eugene Ruettiger is a motivational speaker and former Notre Dame football player whose life inspired the film "Rudy." |
| Rudy Reyes is an American teacher, actor, archaeologist, cannabis rights activist, and chef who competed on MasterChef season 4. |
| Rudy Garcia-Tolson is an American Paralympic athlete who competes in swimming, running, and triathlon. |
| Rudy Sablan - Rudolph Guerrero Sablan served as the second lieutenant governor of Guam under Governor Ricardo Bordallo from 1975 to 1979. |
| Rudy Boschwitz - Rudolph "Rudy" Boschwitz is a Republican American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 1978 to 1991. |
| Rudy Perpich - Rudolph George Perpich Sr. was the only Minnesota governor to serve non-consecutive terms. |
| Rudy Wurlitzer - Rudolph "Rudy" Wurlitzer is an American novelist and screenwriter. |
| Rudy Adrien Camacho is a French defender for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer. |
