Russel
A boys’ name of Old French origin, meaning red-haired or russet-colored.
Russel by the numbers
In 2025, 3 babies in England and Wales were named Russel. In the US, 30 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 389 babies in 1920, 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 Russel. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean red
Like Russel, 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)
- Flynndescendant of Flann the red218 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ridleyred clearing; a place name used as given name145 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Russel
Nobody has voted for Russel yet
Vote for Russel and put it up against all the other baby names
Vote for Russel