Rufus
Meaning of Rufus
Rufus, pronounced ROO-fuhs, is a spirited choice with roots stretching back to ancient Rome, where the Latin word rufus—“red-haired”—was first used as a friendly nickname. Over the centuries it has popped up in early Christian texts (think Rufus of Thebes), graced the reign of England’s King William “Rufus,” and even lent its charm to modern figures like actor Rufus Sewell or singer Rufus Wainwright. Though it once ranked inside the top 100 boys’ names in late-19th-century America, today Rufus enjoys a quieter spot—hovering around 900th in the U.S. in 2024—making it a perfect pick for parents who love vintage flair without the crowd. Warm yet uncommon, it evokes fiery sunsets, spirited independence and the promise that every child named Rufus can write his own legend.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as ROO-fuhs (/ˈru fəs/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Rufus
| Rufus Wainwright is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and composer known for his albums, operas, and musical adaptations of Shakespeare's sonnets. |
| Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading - Rufus Isaacs was a British politician and judge who became the first Jewish Lord Chief Justice of England and served as Viceroy of India. |
| Rufus Frederik Sewell is a British actor known for lead and character roles in film, television, and theater. |
| Rufus Easton was an American politician, Missouri's second attorney general, and the founder of Alton, Illinois. |
| Rufus Choate was a celebrated American lawyer, gifted orator, and Whig senator from Massachusetts. |
| Rufus Porter was an American artist and inventor who founded Scientific American magazine. |
| Rufus Harley Jr. was an American jazz musician who pioneered the use of bagpipes as a primary jazz instrument. |
| Rufus Saxton was a Union Army general who earned the Medal of Honor for defending Harpers Ferry during the Civil War. |
| Rufus Anderson was an American minister who devoted decades to organizing overseas missions. |
| Rufus Rodriguez is a Filipino lawyer and politician who represents Cagayan de Oro in the House of Representatives. |
| Rufus B. von KleinSmid - Rufus Bernhard von KleinSmid was an American university president who expanded academic programs and campuses at the University of Arizona and the University of Southern California. |
| Rufus Dayglo is a British comics artist known for his work on Tank Girl and 2000 AD. |
| Rufus Hannah was an American homeless rights advocate who became known for his appearances in the early Bumfights videos. |
| Rufus Geddie Herring was a US Naval Reserve officer awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in World War II. |
| Rufus Tiger Taylor is an English drummer known for playing with the Darkness and Queen and Adam Lambert, and the son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor. |
