Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Russell
BoyFrench, English· “little red one”
- Meaning
- little red one
- Origin
- French, English
- Pronunciation
- RUH-suhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #345
- US babies 2025
- 944
- Best rank
- #48 (1904)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Russell
Russell is a French and English name that means “little red one”.
Russell comes from a Norman French nickname meaning little red one, formed from rous, red, and a diminutive ending. It was originally given to someone with red hair or a ruddy face and became an English surname. The Russell family, later Dukes of Bedford, made it prominent in British history, and philosopher Bertrand Russell is among its best-known bearers. As a first name Russell was especially popular in the twentieth century. It feels friendly and grounded, with the nickname Russ close at hand.
Other spellings with the same sound: Russel.
Popularity over time
Russell 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #48 in 1904, and the most babies received it in 1960, when 7,487 were named Russell. In 2025, 944 babies were named Russell, and it ranked #345 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #51 in 1920, #67 in 1950, #92 in 1980, #320 in 2000, #405 in 2010, and #345 in 2025. Of the 359,780 US boys named Russell since records began, 17% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 60,447 babies. Since 2010, 12,694 more have been named Russell.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Chris, Randall, Tim, Tony, and Phillip.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Russell ranked highest in Idaho, Alaska, and Oregon.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Russell is usually pronounced RUH-suhl, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with R and ends in “-ll”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Russel.
Middle names for Russell
A few middle names that flow with Russell: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Russell
Similar names
Marshall Boy
MAHR-shuhl
“horse keeper” · French
#340
Cordell Boy
kor-DEL
“cord maker” · English
#1,977
Travis Boy
TRAV-is
“toll collector at a crossing” · English
#434
Mitchell Boy
MIH-chuhl
“form of Michael” · English
#954
Curtis Boy
KUR-tuhs
“courteous” · French
#985
Darnell Boy
dar-NEL
“uncertain; English surname” · English
#2,423
Wendell Boy
WEHN-duhl
“from the Vandal tribe name” · Germanic
#2,165
Parker Unisex
PAHR-kur
“park keeper” · English
#102
Spencer Boy
SPEN-sur
“steward, dispenser of provisions” · English
#360
Corbin Boy
KOR-bin
“little raven” · French
#512
Tyson Boy
TY-suhn
“firebrand; or son of Dye” · English
#531
Warren Boy
WAWR-uhn
“game park, or from a French place name” · French
#240
Lists that include Russell
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Russell mean?
Russell is a French and English name that means “little red one”.
What is the origin of the name Russell?
Russell has French and English roots. Russell comes from a Norman French nickname meaning little red one, formed from rous, red, and a diminutive ending.
Is Russell a popular name?
Yes. Russell ranked #345 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Russell a boy or girl name?
Russell is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Russell?
Russell is usually pronounced RUH-suhl. 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