"red-haired, auburn-haired"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Rufus
Pronunciation: [ r-OOF-uhs ]
Does Rufus flow with your last name?
A feisty Latin name with ancient Roman roots
English
American
Ancient Roman
European
Vintage
Bold
Playful
Classic
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Rufus
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Rufus
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"reddish complexion"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Rufus
See all →What the Rufus report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Rufus the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Rufus
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Rufus head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Rufus actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Rufus
Rufus is a Latin cognomen meaning red-haired, from rufus meaning red, reddish, or auburn. It was widely used in ancient Rome as a descriptive surname, most famously borne by Publius Sulpicius Rufus and mentioned in the New Testament. The name carries Roman gravitas while having a cheerful, friendly sound that makes it surprisingly wearable today.
Rufus enjoyed popularity in Victorian Britain and has been making a comeback as parents rediscover classic British names. Musician Rufus Wainwright and the character Rufus from the Kim Possible cartoon have helped give the name a cool, creative edge for a new generation.
In the New Testament, Rufus is mentioned in Romans 16:13 as a chosen one in the Lord, suggesting he was an early Christian figure. In British history, William II of England was nicknamed William Rufus for his red hair. The name has both biblical and royal British associations.
Historical Record
Rufus first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10,819 babies have been named Rufus in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rufus is past its peak , currently ranked #4,188 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- William Rufus (William II of England) was called Rufus for his red hair and ruled from 1087-1100
- Rufus is mentioned by name in the New Testament (Romans 16:13) as an early Christian
- The Latin rufus gave us the English word rufous used to describe red-brown colors in nature
Rufus in Other Languages
Latin
Rufus
French
Roux
Italian
Rufo
Spanish
Rufo
Portuguese
Rufo
Popularity Over Time
#4,188
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rufus
R
Rufus Wainwright
Musician
1973
Canadian-American singer-songwriter known for his lush, operatic pop compositions and critically acclaimed albums
W
William Rufus (William II)
Royalty
1056
King of England from 1087-1100, nicknamed Rufus for his red hair, son of William the Conqueror
R
Rufus Fictional
Other
Fictional naked mole rat and beloved sidekick in the animated series Kim Possible (2002-2007)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Rhyett
Boy
"enthusiastic speech, advice"
#4,369
Jaceyon
Boy
"healer (via Jason)"
#4,225
Kollin
Boy
"young dog, whelp"
#4,020
Tobi
Boy
"God is good"
#4,129
Nyx
Boy
"night"
#4,134
Compare Rufus with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,188
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- English American Ancient Roman European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Rufe
Rue
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rufus
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Rufus fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Rufus is also used as a girl name, ranked #48791.
View Rufus as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Rufus →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Rufus with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Rufus
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Rufus and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Rufus sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Rhyett
Boy
Dutch/Flemish origin
"enthusiastic speech, advice"
#4,369 in US
Jaceyon
Boy
Greek Iason via American elaboration origin
"healer (via Jason)"
#4,225 in US
Kollin
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"young dog, whelp"
#4,020 in US
Tobi
Boy
Hebrew Tuviyah origin
"God is good"
#4,129 in US
Nyx
Boy
Greek origin
"night"
#4,134 in US
Owyn
Boy
Latin via Welsh origin
"well-born, noble"
#4,286 in US
Wilhelm
Boy
Old High German origin
"resolute protector"
#4,266 in US
Corwin
Boy
Old English origin
"heart's friend, chosen friend"
#4,374 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Rufus's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rufus
What does the name Rufus mean?
"red-haired, auburn-haired" (from Latin). "reddish complexion" (from Latin). Rufus is a Latin cognomen meaning red-haired, from rufus meaning red, reddish, or auburn. It was widely used in ancient Rome as a descriptive surname, most famously borne by Publius Sulpicius Rufus and mentioned in the New Testament. The name carries Roman gravitas while having a cheerful, friendly sound that makes it surprisingly wearable today.
What is the origin of the name Rufus?
Rufus has Latin, English, American, Ancient Roman, and European origins. In Latin, it means "red-haired, auburn-haired". In Latin, it means "reddish complexion".
Is Rufus a boy or girl name?
Rufus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4188. As a girl name, it is ranked #48791. Rufus is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Rufus?
Rufus is pronounced r-OOF-uhs.
How popular is the name Rufus?
Rufus is currently ranked #4188 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Rufus?
Common nicknames for Rufus include Rufe and Rue.
What are good middle names for Rufus?
Popular middle name pairings include Rufus James, Rufus Henry, Rufus George, Rufus Arthur, Rufus Thomas, Rufus William, and Rufus Edward.
What are good sibling names for Rufus?
Names that pair well with Rufus as siblings include Archie, Clementine, Bertie, Eugenie, Wilfred, Cordelia, and Monty.
How many syllables does Rufus have?
Rufus has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rufus a common or rare name?
Rufus is an uncommon name, ranked #4188 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Rufus
Rufus is a boy name with English, American, Ancient Roman, and European origins . The name means "red-haired, auburn-haired" in Latin .
Is Rufus a boy or girl name? Rufus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,188 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #48,791. Rufus is more commonly used as a boy name.
Rufus is currently ranked #4,188 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Rufus has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-OOF-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Rufus include Rufe and Rue. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More boy names like Rufus
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis