BoyLatin origin2 syllables

Rufus

Meaning: “red”

About the name Rufus

Rufus is a boy name with Latin roots, meaning “red”.

It has a vintage, unique feel. In 2025, Rufus ranked #4019 for boys in the US, with 27 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1949. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Rufus were boys.

Etymology

From Latin, meaning “red”.

Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Rufus”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.

US rank 2025: #4019
In 2015: #2799
Babies in 2025: 27

Popularity of Rufus, 1940–2025

Boys GirlsBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Names similar to Rufus

Magnus“Great”
Cecil“blind”
Denis“follower of (the wine god) Dionysus”
Ollie“olive tree”
Augustine“Great, venerable”
Festus“joyful, merry”
Janus“the Roman god Janus”
Justus“just”
Pat“patrician”
Primus“first”

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.