N
NamyLab

Rufus

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Red Haired"

Rufus is a Latin byname meaning red-haired, later adopted as a given name in English.

Themes:romanclassiccolor
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Rufus

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#4151Ranked in 2024

Loading chart...

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#4151

Rufus was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+1054

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Rufus Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Rufus.

8 ideas
rufy
Nickname
rufu
Nickname
rie
Nickname
ry
Nickname
ro
Nickname
ufus
Nickname
fusy
Nickname
ru
Nickname

Similar Names to Rufus

male

Anthony

AN-thuh-nee

“Priceless; Invaluable”

#44
|Latin
male

Arthur

AR-ther

“Bear Man”

#105
|Celtic
male

Austin

AW-stun

“Great, Venerable”

#107
|Latin
male

Adrian

AY-dree-un

“From Hadria”

#72
|Latin
male

Angel

“Messenger”

#63
|Greek
male

Antonio

“Priceless Inestimable”

#180
|Latin
male

Arnold

“Eagle Power”

#1681
|Germanic
male

August

“Great and Venerable”

#88
|Latin
male

Alton

“Old Town”

#1566
|English
male

Aubrey

AW-bree

“Elf Ruler”

#1744
|Germanic

Baby Name Lists That Include Rufus

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Rufus, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

10 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Rufus mean?
Rufus means "Red Haired". Rufus is a Latin byname meaning red-haired, later adopted as a given name in English.
What is the origin of Rufus?
Rufus is of Latin origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Rufus?
According to the latest SSA data, Rufus is currently ranked #4151 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Rufus a boy name?
Rufus is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Rufus?
Popular nicknames for Rufus include rufy, rufu, rie, ry, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Rufus?
There are many names similar to Rufus in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginLatin
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#4151
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withR

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Rufus

Rufus has Latin roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Latin baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Rufus appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Latin Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Baby Names Starting with R and Names That Mean Air for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Rufus pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Rufus beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.