Rufus

♂ Boy

Rufus Pronunciation

Rufus is pronounced ROO-fəs /ˈru.fəs/High

Meaning: From Latin rufus, 'red, red-haired'High

In 30 seconds: Warmly red-headed: Rufus is Latin for 'red, red-haired' — a vintage classic with friendly charm (musician Rufus Wainwright). Cheery, characterful, and bold.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningFrom Latin rufus, 'red, red-haired'

U.S. rank (2024)#4151 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births26 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 36,045

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Rufus comes from Latin rufus, 'red, red-haired' — a Roman cognomen and a New Testament name. A characterful vintage classic, it's worn by musician Rufus Wainwright; warm and friendly.

It registers thinly today. Rare, red-haired at the root, and characterful.

Did you know? Rufus means 'red-haired' in Latin — a New Testament name and an old nickname for redheads; King William II of England was called William Rufus.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Rufus — etymology

Variations

RufousRuffus

Nicknames

Ruf

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rufus…

Atticus— a fellow vintage Latin classic

Linus— a companion -us name

Cassius— another Roman name

Silas— a fellow revived classic

→ See all names like Rufus

Browse the whole category: All Latin names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Rufus?

Rufus is pronounced ROO-fəs (/ˈru.fəs/). Press play above to hear Rufus said aloud.

How do you say Rufus?

Rufus is said ROO-fəs (/ˈru.fəs/). Press play above to hear Rufus said aloud.

What does the name Rufus mean?

Rufus is Latin for 'red, red-haired'.

Is Rufus a boy or girl name?

Rufus is a boy's name.

How popular is Rufus?

Rufus is a rare vintage name in the U.S.