Rufus

At a Glance: Name: Rufus – Meaning: red, ruddy (often used to describe red hair) – Origin: Latin – Gender: used for both boys and girls

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Rufus is a Latin name with a clear, literal meaning: red or ruddy, historically used to describe someone with red hair. It's not a new invention — Social Security Administration records show it in use as far back as 1880. If you want a name whose meaning is straightforward and tied to a physical description rather than something abstract, Rufus fits that.

Meaning & Origin of Rufus

Meaning: Red, ruddy (often used to describe red hair).

Origin: Latin.

Source: Wiktionary.

Popularity of Rufus

Rufus hit its high point in 1880, when 163 baby boys were given the name, putting it at #88 that year. By 2024 it had fallen far from that peak, with only 26 babies named Rufus and a rank of #4151.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Rufus Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Rufus, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Shep
• Lucious
• Isreal
• Grover
• Elvie
• Hays

FAQ

What does the name Rufus mean?

Red, ruddy (often used to describe red hair). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Rufus)

Is Rufus a popular name right now?

Rufus peaked at #88 in 1880 and is ranked #4151 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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