Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Rufus
BoyLatin· “red-haired”
- Meaning
- red-haired
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- ROO-fus
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,019
- US babies 2025
- 27
- Best rank
- #88 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1922
Meaning and origin of Rufus
Rufus is a Latin name that means “red-haired”.
Rufus is a Latin name meaning red-haired, from rufus, red. It was a Roman cognomen and appears in the New Testament, where Rufus is a son of Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross, and also a Christian in Rome greeted by Paul. King William II of England was known as William Rufus, probably for his ruddy complexion. It is said ROO-fus. The musician Rufus Wainwright is a modern bearer. Red, the English nickname for redheads, is a close equivalent in meaning.
Popularity over time
Rufus has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 109 different years. Its best national rank was #88 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1922, when 737 were named Rufus. In 2025, 27 babies were named Rufus, and it ranked #4,019 nationally. That is 37% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #188 in 1920, #334 in 1950, #713 in 1980, #2,611 in 2000, #3,171 in 2010, and #4,019 in 2025. Of the 36,074 US boys named Rufus since records began, 19% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 4,901 babies. Since 2010, 491 more have been named Rufus.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Irvin, Murray, Ervin, Elwood, and Percy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rufus ranked highest in Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #1125 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Rufus is usually pronounced ROO-fus, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-us”.
Middle names for Rufus
A few middle names that flow with Rufus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rufus
Similar names
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Lists that include Rufus
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rufus mean?
Rufus is a Latin name that means “red-haired”.
What is the origin of the name Rufus?
Rufus has Latin roots. Rufus is a Latin name meaning red-haired, from rufus, red.
Is Rufus a popular name?
Not especially. Rufus ranked #4,019 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rufus a boy or girl name?
Rufus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Rufus?
Rufus is usually pronounced ROO-fus. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings