This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Red, ruddy (often used to describe red hair)
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- ROO-fuhs
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.
How to Pronounce Rufus
ROO-fuhsIPA /ˈruːfəs/
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.
Names Like Rufus
These names have followed a similar path to Rufus in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Rufus mean?
Red, ruddy (often used to describe red hair). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Rufus?
Rufus is pronounced ROO-fuhs (IPA: /ˈruːfəs/).
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.)
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.
📊 How popular is Rufus? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
