Russ Boy

Popularity: #918 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: RUSS //rʌs//

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Latin: red-haired; English: short form of Russell

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Russ is derived from the Old French name "Rous," which means "red" or "red-haired." This name has its roots in the Latin word "russus," also meaning "red." The etymological journey continues back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁reudh- which signifies the color red. The transition from Latin to Old French occurred during the medieval period, particularly as the Norman Conquest in the 11th century facilitated the integration of French vocabulary into the English language.

Consequently, the name entered English usage in the form of Russ, primarily as a surname before evolving into a given name. Historically, the name Russ has been associated with various notable figures and events.

One significant milestone is its connection to the medieval period, where names derived from colors were commonly used to denote physical characteristics. The name's usage can be traced back to the 12th century, when it began appearing in English records.

It is also worth noting that the name has been linked to the legendary figure of Robin Hood, whose band of outlaws included characters with names reflecting their traits, although direct connections to the name Russ are more anecdotal than documented. Culturally, the name Russ carries connotations of warmth and vitality, reflective of its meaning related to the color red.

This association with color has historically been significant in various cultures, symbolizing courage, strength, and passion. In literature and folklore, red-haired characters often embody spirited or fiery personalities, which may have contributed to the name's enduring appeal.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Rusty have emerged, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry. Overall, Russ encapsulates a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance that has allowed it to persist through the centuries.

Fictional characters named Russ

The following list of fictional characters named Russ 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.

Russ is a fictional character from the animated film The Secret Life of Pets. He is a mischievous and adventurous rabbit who befriends the main characters.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Russ, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

RexRyderReedRonanRiley

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Russ. 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.

RufusRoccoRustinRyderRylanRonanRussell

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Russ was first seen in the United States in 1898.

Russ has ranked as high as #932 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in California, New York, Michigan, Texas, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Russ has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Russ 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 Russ 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 Russ.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 20 20
2024 14 14
2023 21 21
2022 21 21
2021 18 18
2020 17 17
2019 11 11
2018 13 13
2017 7 7
2016 8 8
2015 8 8
2014 5 5
2013 6 6
2012 12 12
2011 12 12
2010 7 7
2009 5 5
2007 12 12
2006 5 5
2005 9 9
2004 7 7
2003 7 7
2002 7 7
2001 9 9
2000 9 9
1999 12 12
1998 9 9
1997 13 13
1996 16 16
1995 15 15
1994 14 14
1993 18 18
1992 20 20
1991 30 30
1990 24 24
1989 21 21
1988 33 33
1987 34 34
1986 45 45
1985 34 34
1984 31 31
1983 45 45
1982 45 45
1981 57 57
1980 60 60
1979 50 50
1978 48 48
1977 49 49
1976 49 49
1975 52 52
1974 56 56
1973 66 66
1972 73 73
1971 103 103
1970 127 127
1969 114 114
1968 124 124
1967 123 123
1966 135 135
1965 180 180
1964 264 264
1963 291 291
1962 304 304
1961 341 341
1960 341 341
1959 350 350
1958 298 298
1957 221 221
1956 168 168
1955 96 96
1954 82 82
1953 57 57
1952 50 50
1951 40 40
1950 53 53
1949 64 64
1948 70 70
1947 101 101
1946 97 97
1945 73 73
1944 49 49
1943 58 58
1942 43 43
1941 34 34
1940 35 35
1939 25 25
1938 22 22
1937 27 27
1936 23 23
1935 11 11
1934 20 20
1933 9 9
1932 13 13
1931 14 14
1930 9 9
1929 11 11
1928 11 11
1927 9 9
1926 12 12
1925 9 9
1924 11 11
1923 11 11
1922 11 11
1921 13 13
1920 8 8
1919 10 10
1918 11 11
1917 10 10
1916 14 14
1915 7 7
1914 7 7
1913 7 7
1901 5 5
1898 6 6

Top States for Russ (1993)

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 6
100%