Rufus
A boys’ name of Latin origin, meaning red or reddish-haired.
Babies a year
78
England and Wales, 2025
Rarity
Uncommon
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
#494
78 babies · down from #422
Rufus by the numbers
In 2025, 78 babies in England and Wales were named Rufus. In the US, 35 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given far more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 737 babies in 1922, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Rufus. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean red
Like Rufus, each of these has red in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Rowanlittle red one; the rowan tree1,398 in England and Wales (2025)
- Roryred king1,760 in England and Wales (2025)
- Reidred; ruddy-complexioned1,286 in the US (2017)
- Reedred-haired or one who lives by reeds872 in the US (2017)
- Russellred-haired; russet-colored782 in the US (2017)
- Flynndescendant of Flann the red218 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Rufus
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