Rufus
Rufus was the 4019th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 27 babies. Its best year was 1880, when it ranked 88th; the most babies were born in 1922 (737). Over the last ten years it has moved down 1,220 places. More babies were named Rufus in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Meaning "red, red-haired" · Latin
Say it ROO-fus /ˈrufəs/
- Rank in 2025
- #4,019 boys, down 14 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 27boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1922737 babies
- Total since 1880
- 36,225babies recorded
What does the name Rufus mean?
Rufus is Latin for "red, ruddy", a common Roman nickname for a red-haired man. The New Testament mentions a Rufus whose father carried Jesus' cross (Mark 15:21) and another in Paul's greetings (Romans 16:13). It was also the nickname of the English king William II. Wiktionary notes it has been used as an English first name since the 17th century; in the US it was most common around 1900.
rufus (Latin, “red, ruddy”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Rufino, Rufina, Russell.
See also: Latin names, names that mean a color.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Rufus', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Rufus', DMNES (Durham University)
- New Testament, Mark 15:21 (NRSV Updated Edition), Bible Gateway
Rufus popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 151 since 1913.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,019 | 27 |
| 2020 | #4,005 | 26 |
| 2010 | #3,171 | 36 |
| 2000 | #2,611 | 36 |
| 1990 | #1,223 | 81 |
| 1980 | #713 | 149 |
| 1970 | #599 | 184 |
| 1960 | #441 | 332 |
| 1950 | #334 | 407 |
| 1940 | #257 | 460 |
| 1930 | #225 | 565 |
| 1920 | #188 | 729 |
| 1910 | #145 | 221 |
| 1900 | #141 | 157 |
| 1890 | #126 | 115 |
| 1880 | #88 | 163 |
How popular is Rufus, counting every spelling?
Rufus has no other common spelling that sounds the same.
How many kids will share the name Rufus?
27 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Rufus (0.01 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Rufus born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 310 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Rufus.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Rufus?
About 11,200 people born in the US named Rufus are alive today, with a median age of 65; half are between 50 and 76. That makes Rufus a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Rufus by state
How common Rufus was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. In 50 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Rufus: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Rufus, they share its era and feel.
Middle names for Rufus · Sibling names for Rufus
Questions about the name Rufus
What does Rufus mean?
Rufus means “"red, red-haired"” (Latin origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Rufus?
Rufus was the 4019th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 27 babies. Its best year was 1880, when it ranked 88th; the most babies were born in 1922 (737). Over the last ten years it has moved down 1,220 places. More babies were named Rufus in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Is Rufus a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Rufus in the US.
Where is Rufus most popular?
In 2021–2025, Rufus was most common in Washington (0.03 per 1,000 boys).