Rufina Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: roo-FEE-nah /ruːˈfiːnə/
Origin: Latin; Italian
Meaning: Latin: 'red-haired'; Italian: 'little red'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Rufina has its roots in Latin, derived from the word "rufus," meaning "red" or "red-haired." This etymological origin suggests a connection to physical characteristics, particularly hair color, which was a notable trait in ancient Roman culture. The name evolved through various linguistic forms, transitioning from Latin to early Christian contexts, where it was adopted and adapted in different regions, including the early medieval period in Europe.
The name Rufina entered the English language primarily through ecclesiastical channels, as many Latin names were Latinized and subsequently adapted into vernacular languages during the spread of Christianity. Historically, the name Rufina is associated with several notable figures, including early Christian martyrs.
One such figure is Saint Rufina, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century, who, along with her sister Secunda, was venerated in the Roman Catholic Church. Their story is commemorated in various hagiographies, which contributed to the name's endurance in Christian communities.
The name also appears in various historical texts and documents throughout the Middle Ages, often linked to noble families or saints, reinforcing its significance in religious and cultural contexts. Culturally, Rufina has been associated with qualities such as strength and resilience, often reflecting the virtues attributed to the saints bearing the name.
The name has also been linked to themes of sacrifice and devotion, particularly in the context of martyrdom. In some cultures, diminutive forms such as Rufi or Rufa may have emerged, though these variations are less commonly documented.
Overall, Rufina's historical and cultural resonance is deeply intertwined with its Latin origins and the legacy of early Christian figures, ensuring its place in the tapestry of names throughout history.
Famous people named Rufina
In this section, you will find notable people named Rufina. 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 Rufina who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Rufina 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.
Rufina Nifontova is a Russian painter best known for her landscape and portrait works.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rufina, 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 Rufina. 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 Rufina was first seen in the United States in 1892.
Rufina has ranked as high as #2479 nationally, which occurred in 1928, and has been most popular in Texas, New Mexico, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Rufina has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Rufina 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 Rufina 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 Rufina.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6 |
| 2024 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 |
| 2019 | 8 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 |
| 2010 | 5 | 5 |
| 2008 | 7 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 | 6 |
| 2006 | 9 | 9 |
| 2005 | 5 | 5 |
| 2003 | 7 | 7 |
| 2002 | 8 | 8 |
| 2000 | 8 | 8 |
| 1999 | 7 | 7 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 | 5 | 5 |
| 1996 | 13 | 13 |
| 1995 | 6 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 | 7 |
| 1992 | 7 | 7 |
| 1991 | 8 | 8 |
| 1990 | 8 | 8 |
| 1989 | 6 | 6 |
| 1987 | 7 | 7 |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 |
| 1985 | 5 | 5 |
| 1984 | 5 | 5 |
| 1983 | 7 | 7 |
| 1982 | 7 | 7 |
| 1981 | 10 | 10 |
| 1980 | 7 | 7 |
| 1979 | 6 | 6 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 |
| 1977 | 6 | 6 |
| 1975 | 7 | 7 |
| 1972 | 9 | 9 |
| 1971 | 7 | 7 |
| 1970 | 6 | 6 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 |
| 1967 | 10 | 10 |
| 1965 | 8 | 8 |
| 1964 | 11 | 11 |
| 1962 | 5 | 5 |
| 1961 | 6 | 6 |
| 1960 | 9 | 9 |
| 1959 | 6 | 6 |
| 1958 | 5 | 5 |
| 1956 | 6 | 6 |
| 1955 | 13 | 13 |
| 1954 | 8 | 8 |
| 1953 | 7 | 7 |
| 1952 | 9 | 9 |
| 1951 | 10 | 10 |
| 1950 | 8 | 8 |
| 1949 | 13 | 13 |
| 1948 | 13 | 13 |
| 1947 | 13 | 13 |
| 1946 | 16 | 16 |
| 1945 | 9 | 9 |
| 1944 | 14 | 14 |
| 1943 | 12 | 12 |
| 1942 | 11 | 11 |
| 1941 | 11 | 11 |
| 1940 | 7 | 7 |
| 1939 | 7 | 7 |
| 1938 | 15 | 15 |
| 1937 | 8 | 8 |
| 1936 | 17 | 17 |
| 1935 | 8 | 8 |
| 1934 | 7 | 7 |
| 1933 | 11 | 11 |
| 1932 | 9 | 9 |
| 1931 | 19 | 19 |
| 1930 | 18 | 18 |
| 1929 | 25 | 25 |
| 1928 | 32 | 32 |
| 1927 | 28 | 28 |
| 1926 | 30 | 30 |
| 1925 | 23 | 23 |
| 1924 | 31 | 31 |
| 1923 | 26 | 26 |
| 1922 | 16 | 16 |
| 1921 | 16 | 16 |
| 1920 | 17 | 17 |
| 1919 | 15 | 15 |
| 1918 | 16 | 16 |
| 1917 | 21 | 21 |
| 1916 | 12 | 12 |
| 1915 | 12 | 12 |
| 1914 | 7 | 7 |
| 1913 | 9 | 9 |
| 1912 | 6 | 6 |
| 1911 | 8 | 8 |
| 1910 | 11 | 11 |
| 1909 | 6 | 6 |
| 1908 | 5 | 5 |
| 1906 | 6 | 6 |
| 1905 | 5 | 5 |
| 1904 | 6 | 6 |
| 1902 | 5 | 5 |
| 1892 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Rufina (2000)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |