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Rufus as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Rufus

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The baby name Rufus is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈruːfəs/ (ROO-fuhs).

Rufus is Latin in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: /ˈruːfəs/ (ROO-fuhs)

What is the meaning of the name Rufus ?

The baby name Rufus is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈruːfəs/ (ROO-fuhs).

Rufus is Latin in Origin.

From Latin rufus, “red-haired” or “ruddy,” Rufus began as a Roman cognomen marking hair color or complexion. It entered the Christian name stock early: several martyrs bore it, and a Rufus is greeted in the New Testament (Romans 16:13; often linked to Mark 15:21). Through saintly veneration the name traveled across the Latin West.

In English, use is attested since the Middle Ages, reinforced by William II of England, nicknamed William Rufus for his red hair. The name enjoyed periodic revivals in the 18th–19th centuries, declining in the U.S. by mid-20th century yet retaining steady British appeal as a quirky traditional choice. Variants and related forms include Latin Rufinus; Spanish/Italian Rufo and Rufino; French/Polish Rufin; Russian Ruf; diminutive Rufe in English; and feminine counterparts Rufina (Spanish, Italian, Russian) and Rufine (French). Core meaning remains “red-haired,” with connotations of warmth and vigor.

Rufus has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Rufus

Rufus Wainwright Musician · Born 1973 · Canada Rufus Wainwright is a Canadian musician known for his distinctive voice and theatrical pop music. He gained fame with songs like 'Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk' and 'Hallelujah.' Born in 1973, he has also composed operas and performed with orchestras around the world. Rufus Thomas Actor|musician · Born 1917 · United States Rufus Thomas was a vibrant musician and entertainer from the United States, best known for his energetic performances and hit songs like 'Walking the Dog' and 'Do the Funky Chicken'. He played a significant role in the development of rhythm and blues and soul music, particularly through his work with Stax Records. His lively stage presence and catchy tunes made him a beloved figure in the music industry.

Celebrity babies named Rufus

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Rufus Tiger Taylor Roger Taylor singer

Rufus – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2013 #1 745
NA 0 #33 1 2,537
MV Girls 0 #35 1 2,021
EE 0 #37 1 1,051
CN 0 #86 1 3,857
CY Boys 0 #131 1 3,473
Switzerland Boys 2024 #134 4 1,769
ID Boys 0 #135 1 4,130
BW Boys 0 #154 1 4,685
Sweden Boys 2022 #168 15 1,509
PR Boys 0 #178 1 2,508
MT Boys 0 #179 1 4,064
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
NA Boys 0 #226 10 6,830
IR 0 #231 1 4,221
NG 0 #244 21 5,926
AO Boys 0 #248 2 5,568
TW Boys 0 #252 5 7,111
JM Boys 0 #290 4 6,876
KZ Boys 0 #294 3 6,578
Canada Boys 2024 #302 5 2,588
JP Boys 0 #303 1 7,909
CZ Boys 0 #304 2 6,530
SA 0 #311 2 10,560
CN Boys 0 #324 8 9,639
PL Boys 0 #326 10 6,459
DK Boys 0 #329 4 7,401
GH Boys 0 #336 10 8,138
HK 0 #356 2 8,483
MU Girls 0 #362 1 8,539
PT Boys 0 #381 1 7,951
NG Boys 0 #385 1,007 16,906
Finland Boys 0 #406 22 2,041
PH Boys 0 #408 1 11,440
France Boys 2012 #412 3 2,840
UY Boys 0 #413 1 5,922
ZA 0 #429 19 14,421
CL 0 #434 1 6,867
SD Boys 0 #465 2 10,523
PT Girls 0 #470 2 7,952
AR Boys 0 #483 1 7,628
GT Boys 0 #499 1 7,625
PA Boys 0 #502 4 9,305
CR Boys 0 #507 4 10,188
HK Boys 0 #508 20 12,905
RU Boys 0 #523 4 12,621
Finland Boys 2026 #526 165 3,552
CM Boys 0 #527 24 12,054
LY 0 #555 5 12,703
KW Girls 0 #560 2 19,177
IR Boys 0 #563 3 10,162
BH 0 #584 4 17,937
BO Boys 0 #622 1 9,244
AR Girls 0 #630 1 8,289
SG Girls 0 #632 1 18,916
SG Boys 0 #686 12 17,960
CL Boys 0 #696 5 13,390
IQ Boys 0 #696 2 13,071
NG Girls 0 #697 90 15,093
IT 0 #702 13 4,183
QA Boys 0 #738 6 18,093
BR Boys 0 #783 3 12,213
KW Boys 0 #802 5 18,755
ZA Boys 0 #840 357 25,619
United States Boys 2024 #867 26 7,044
OM Boys 0 #868 14 17,948
Spain Boys 0 #903 28 5,610
PE Boys 0 #918 9 14,506
EG Boys 0 #925 1 15,035
NL Boys 0 #925 27 5,873
Germany Boys 0 #928 25 5,697
CO Boys 0 #977 5 15,656
IN Boys 0 #988 14 16,750
SA Girls 0 #1,014 1 25,931
MX Boys 0 #1,027 7 16,355
MY Girls 0 #1,072 1 24,821
AE Boys 0 #1,077 16 22,615
MY Boys 0 #1,083 29 25,439
CO Girls 0 #1,151 2 16,140
MA 0 #1,199 1 20,986
ZA Girls 0 #1,231 6 25,928
MX Girls 0 #1,267 1 17,781
IT Boys 0 #1,403 69 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,683 9 28,008

Rufus is popular in 62 countries — most recent births per country:

United States
Sweden
Canada
Switzerland
Scotland, United Kingdom

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People also ask about Rufus

Rufus is predominantly a boy's name.
Rufus is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈruːfəs/ (ROO-fuhs).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Rufe, Rufie, Rufio, Rufo and Rufino.
Yes, very popular — Rufus ranked #1 in Ireland in 2013, and appears in official birth registries across 8 countries.
Rufus ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2013).
Rufus's popularity is rising. It moved from #872 in 2014 to #867 in 2024 in United States.
Yes — 2 notable people named Rufus are in our database, including Rufus Wainwright (Musician), Rufus Thomas (Actor|musician).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Rufus for their child, including Roger Taylor.