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Russell

♂ Boy

Pronounced RUS-ul /ˈɹʌs.əl/High

Meaning: From the Old French 'rousel', a diminutive of 'ros' (red), meaning 'little red one' or 'red-haired'. A Norman surname describing a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.High

In 30 seconds: Russell is a distinguished Norman surname meaning 'little red one' — originally a nickname for a red-haired person — that became a stately English first name borne by philosophers, athletes, and Nobel laureates.
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Origin HighOld French, Norman
MeaningFrom the Old French 'rousel', a diminutive of 'ros' (red), meaning 'little red one' or 'red-haired'. A Norman surname describing a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
U.S. rank (2025)#345 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births944 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1960
Total births (all-time)≈ 359,764

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196018802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Russell derives from Old French rousel, a diminutive of rous (red), and was applied as a nickname to people with red hair or ruddy complexions. The Normans brought it to England as the surname de Russy or Russell. By the medieval period the Russell family had become one of the leading noble houses in England, with the Earls of Bedford as their most famous branch.

As a given name, Russell gained significant use in the nineteenth century, particularly in the United States, where it was fashionable among families with English aristocratic pretensions. It peaked in mid-twentieth century American naming culture and remains in the top 300 today. Its association with philosopher Bertrand Russell, actor Russell Crowe, and singer-songwriter Leon Russell has maintained its cultural currency.

Did you know? Bertrand Russell (1872–1970), the British philosopher and Nobel Prize winner in Literature, was so prolific and long-lived that his career spanned from the 1890s to 1970 — over 80 years of intellectual output — and his name has since become associated with the pinnacle of philosophical achievement.
Overall data confidence 93%
Oxford Dictionary of English Surnames — Old French rousel etymology and Norman historySocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity history for Russell

Variations

RusselRuss

Nicknames

RussRusty

Famous Bearers

  • ★Bertrand Russell (1872–1970)
    British philosopher, mathematician, and Nobel Prize in Literature winner (1950).
  • ★Russell Crowe (1964–)
    New Zealand-Australian actor and Academy Award winner known for Gladiator.

If you like Russell…

Grant— one-syllable Norman surname that became a distinguished English given name with similar aristocratic associations
Winston— two-syllable Norman-origin English surname with the same distinguished, stately quality
Percival— Norman/Old French surname name with the same medieval English aristocratic heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Russell mean?

Russell means 'little red one' or 'red-haired', from Old French rousel, a diminutive of rous (red).

How do you pronounce Russell?

Russell is pronounced RUS-ul (/ˈɹʌs.əl/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Russell a boy or girl name?

Russell is a boy's name.

How popular is Russell?

Russell has been in the US top 100–300 boys' names for most of the twentieth century, with a distinguished, understated presence.