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Rufus Boy

Popularity: #898 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationROO-fus / ˈruːfəs

Latin; English

Meaning

Latin: red-haired; English: a name derived from Latin

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rufus has its roots in Latin, derived from the word "rufus," meaning "red" or "reddish." This etymology likely referred to the hair color of individuals, a common practice in naming conventions across various cultures. The name entered the English language through Old French, where it was adopted as "Ruf," before evolving into its current form. The transition from Latin to Old French and then to Middle English illustrates the linguistic shifts that occurred during the Norman Conquest and subsequent centuries, which significantly influenced the English lexicon.

Historically, Rufus has been borne by notable figures, including the Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus, commonly known as Domitian, who was referred to as Rufus due to his red hair. In the Christian tradition, Saint Rufus is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Epistle to the Romans, which dates to the first century. His mention in biblical texts has contributed to the name's significance within Christian communities, particularly during the early medieval period when saints' names were commonly adopted.

Culturally, the name Rufus has been associated with various symbolic meanings, particularly those related to strength and vitality, as the color red often symbolizes life and energy. The name has also appeared in literature and historical texts, reinforcing its presence in cultural narratives. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Rufe" have been used historically, reflecting the affectionate and familiar use of the name in various contexts. Overall, Rufus carries a rich historical and cultural legacy that has allowed it to endure through the centuries.

Trend Summary

Rufus has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, reflecting a broader trend towards vintage names.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Rufe
  • Rufie

International Variants

  • Ruf (German)
  • Rufus (Latin)

Famous people named Rufus

Rufus Wainwright is a singer-songwriter best known for Want One, Poses, and Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.

Rufus Sewell is an actor best known for Dark City, A Knight's Tale, and The Man in the High Castle.

Rufus Thomas is a singer and songwriter best known for Walking the Dog, Do the Funky Chicken, and The Breakdown.

Fictional characters named Rufus

Rufus is a fictional character from the animated television series Kim Possible. He is a naked mole rat and the loyal pet and sidekick of the protagonist, Kim Possible.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rufus was first seen in the United States in 1880. Rufus has ranked as high as #409 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi. In the past 5 years the name Rufus has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Rufus (2019)

StateBirthsShare
CA 6
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880163
1881121
1882147
1883125
1884117
1885118
1886139
1887119
1888126
1889108
1890115
1891107
1892137
1893139
1894128
1895135
1896145
1897124
1898141
1899127
1900157
1901121
1902152
1903134
1904138
1905157
1906156
1907175
1908156
1909206
1910221
1911230
1912336
1913410
1914495
1915588
1916577
1917646
1918721
1919677
1920729
1921721
1922737
1923678
1924709
1925676
1926641
1927690
1928602
1929566
1930565
1931482
1932511
1933477
1934480
1935460
1936449
1937479
1938443
1939430
1940460
1941457
1942456
1943483
1944480
1945411
1946467
1947489
1948466
1949498
1950407
1951445
1952456
1953449
1954475
1955406
1956402
1957410
1958347
1959358
1960332
1961330
1962272
1963301
1964303
1965228
1966228
1967232
1968193
1969206
1970184
1971196
1972178
1973164
1974144
1975147
1976149
1977142
1978132
1979134
1980149
1981139
1982119
1983120
1984108
1985125
198689
198797
198896
198978
199081
199178
199267
199355
199462
199544
199639
199747
199842
199943
200036
200134
200239
200328
200441
200534
200636
200729
200827
200924
201036
201140
201230
201344
201420
201543
201635
201736
201826
201930
202026
202125
202227
202319
202426