Red Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: red //rɛd//
Origin: English; Old Norse
Meaning: English: red-haired; Old Norse: from the color red
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Red is derived from the Old English word "read," which means red in color. This term has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "rauthaz," which also signifies the color red.
The linguistic journey continues back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*reudh-", which conveys the notion of redness. The name entered the English lexicon as a descriptor for color and later evolved into a given name, often used as a nickname or diminutive for individuals with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
Historically, the use of color names as personal identifiers can be traced back to various cultures. In medieval England, the name Red may have been adopted by individuals to denote their physical characteristics, particularly in a time when surnames were often derived from descriptive traits.
The name appears in various historical texts, although specific instances are less documented than more common names. The association with color has been significant in various cultures, symbolizing everything from passion and love to danger and sacrifice.
Culturally, the color red has held various meanings throughout history, often associated with power, strength, and vitality. In many traditions, red is a color of celebration and festivity, while in others, it can signify mourning or loss.
The name Red, therefore, carries with it a rich tapestry of symbolism that resonates across different contexts. While it may not have a plethora of historical figures directly associated with it, the name's connection to color and its descriptive nature has allowed it to endure in various forms, including as a nickname for individuals in literature and folklore.
Famous people named Red
In this section, you will find notable people named Red. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Red who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Red who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Red Auerbach is a basketball coach best known for leading the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships.
Red Skelton was a comedian and actor best known for The Red Skelton Show, and his work in film and television.
Fictional characters named Red
The following list of fictional characters named Red is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Red is a fictional character from the video game series Pokémon. He is a skilled Pokémon Trainer known for being the game's ultimate challenge in the Kanto region.
Red is a fictional character from the animated series and comic book Red vs. Blue. He is a member of the Red Team and is known for his competitive nature and rivalry with the Blue Team.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Red, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Red. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Red was first seen in the United States in 1888.
Red has ranked as high as #11084 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Red has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Red is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Red was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Red.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 15 |
| 2024 | 18 | 18 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 |
| 2022 | 16 | 16 |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2016 | 11 | 11 |
| 2015 | 7 | 7 |
| 2014 | 11 | 11 |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 |
| 2009 | 6 | 6 |
| 2007 | 5 | 5 |
| 2001 | 5 | 5 |
| 1963 | 5 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 | 5 |
| 1950 | 5 | 5 |
| 1934 | 5 | 5 |
| 1933 | 6 | 6 |
| 1932 | 7 | 7 |
| 1931 | 5 | 5 |
| 1929 | 5 | 5 |
| 1928 | 13 | 13 |
| 1927 | 11 | 11 |
| 1926 | 8 | 8 |
| 1925 | 16 | 16 |
| 1924 | 7 | 7 |
| 1923 | 12 | 12 |
| 1922 | 9 | 9 |
| 1920 | 12 | 12 |
| 1919 | 13 | 13 |
| 1918 | 7 | 7 |
| 1917 | 6 | 6 |
| 1916 | 13 | 13 |
| 1915 | 15 | 15 |
| 1914 | 11 | 11 |
| 1913 | 9 | 9 |
| 1911 | 5 | 5 |
| 1909 | 6 | 6 |
| 1906 | 6 | 6 |
| 1890 | 6 | 6 |
| 1888 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Red
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.