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TueJun 17

national ralph day – June 17, 2025

National Ralph Day is celebrated on June 17 every year. Ralph is a masculine name common in England, Scotland, and Ireland. It comes from the old English and Norse Radulf, which means “counsel wolf,” and Ralph is its most widely recognized variation. In French, it’s Raoul, while the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian versions are spelled as Raul. It’s a popular boy’s name in the U.S., with around 368,000 people in the country named Ralph. Let’s celebrate this lovely name today!

History of national ralph day

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American philosopher, essayist, and leader of the transcendentalist movement in the U.S. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 25, 1803, Emerson spent his childhood around women after the demise of his father and most of his male siblings. The experience turned him into a staunch advocate of women’s rights. As an intellectual with relatively liberal ideals, he dedicated his life to worthy causes, such as the abolition of slavery, and was one of the early leaders of the transcendentalist movement. His belief in the inherent good of man inspired millions, and his work influenced the likes of Walt Whitman, William James, and Henry David Thoreau. Emerson died of pneumonia in 1882

English actor, producer, and stage actor, Ralph Fiennes, is famous for his chillingly accurate portrayal of the Nazi S.S. officer, Amon Goeth, in the award-winning movie “Schindler’s List” (1993). Fiennes was an accomplished thespian before getting onto the big screen, having worked at the highly esteemed Royal National Theater. He made his film debut in the movie “Wuthering Heights” (1992) and portrayed the role of the demonic Heathcliff. Fiennes is vocal on matters of politics and strongly opposed the Brexit movement in the U.K. in 2016. He is a Primetime Emmy and a Tony Award winner.

Fashion designer Ralph Lauren is the founder of the multi-billion dollar global enterprise, Ralph Lauren Corporation. The billionaire businessman is also an avid car collector. The son of Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants, he was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, U.S. The 82-year-old fashion mogul grew up in the same neighborhood as Calvin Klein and Robert Denning. His clothing line includes men’s sportswear, fragrances, luxury watches, and fine jewelry. Lauren stepped down as the C.E.O. of Ralph Lauren Corporation in 2015 but still maintains an executive chair position and is the company’s chief creative officer.

national ralph day timeline

1836
The Formation of the Transcendental Club

Ralph Emerson holds the first meeting of the Transcendental Club with George Putnam, Frederic Henry Hedge, and George Ripley.

1968
A Fashion Empire

Ralph Lauren launches his menswear clothing line, Polo.

2010
Playing a Greek God

Ralph Fiennes puts his extensive stage-play skills to work, playing Hades in “Clash of the Titans.”

2018
Elected as Governor

Ralph Northam is elected as the 73rd governor of Virginia.

national ralph day FAQs

Is Ralph a biblical name?

No, Ralph is an English name.

How do the British pronounce Ralph?

In the past, it was pronounced as “Raif” but the pronunciation has since changed to the conventional “Rolf.”

What is the nickname for Ralph?

Ralph is one of the few names with no short version, but there are alternative spellings in different languages, like the French Raoul and Spanish Raul.

national ralph day Activities

  1. Read the works of Emerson

    Emerson is considered the godfather of the transcendentalist movement in America. He also had much to say about women’s rights, slavery, and racial hierarchy. His thoughts still hold water.

  2. Pamper yourself

    Have you always wanted a particular fashionable watch, shirt, jacket, or pair of pants? Today is the day to treat yourself to something by Ralph Lauren. Pamper yourself today!

  3. Enjoy some fine acting

    Fiennes is unquestionably one of the U.K.’s greatest exports worldwide. His acting skills are superb. Be sure to check them out in one of the nearly 70 movies he’s appeared in, including the “Harry Potter” franchise, “Red Dragon” (2002), “The Constant Gardener” (2005), and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014).

5 Facts About Ralphs

  1. Ralph Lauren in the army

    Lauren served in the U.S. Army between 1962 and 1964.

  2. An international ambassador

    Ralph Fiennes has served as a UNICEF ambassador since 1999.

  3. Uplifting women

    Ralph Emerson ran a school for girls.

  4. Ralph Macchio loves to dance

    Macchio of “Karate Kid” (1984) competed in “Dancing With the Stars” in 2005.

  5. An esteemed relative

    Renowned composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was related to Charles Darwin, his great-uncle.

Why We Love national ralph day

  1. It is a classic name

    The name Ralph is one of the old classic names. It’s been around for a while but is still relevant today. This masculine name also means “God heals” in Hebrew.

  2. It sounds suave

    Ralph is the name of a gentleman. It sounds noble and aristocratic.

  3. It is meaningful

    The name also translates to “as wise as a wolf.” It was the name of one of the seven archangels who was a healer, according to Spanish tradition.

national ralph day dates

Year Date Day
2025 June 17 Tuesday
2026 June 17 Wednesday
2027 June 17 Thursday
2028 June 17 Saturday
2029 June 17 Sunday