Origin, Meaning, And History of Rufus
The name Rufus is generally given to boys and is used as a personal name or a surname. The name has two origins with similar meanings. The first origin is considered to have been derived from an Ancient Roman cognomen and nickname, Rufus that means ‘red.’
The alternative origin of the name is considered to be derived from the German word ‘rot,’ which translates to ‘red.’ It is a German family name associated with people who have a red beard, red colored hair, live in a red-colored house, or don red clothes. The literal meaning of the name is ‘red-haired’ or ‘tawny.’
History has it that the family name Rufus was first recorded in Bavaria and became the backbone of modern Europe because of its immense contribution to feudal society.
It is possible that the oldest variation of the name was Rothbart. Many early saints also shared the name, one of which was mentioned in the New Testament under Paul’s epistles. It was also used as a nickname by King William II Rufus of England because of his red hair. After the Protestant Reformation, the name became more widely used in English-speaking regions.
Some other spelling variations of the name are Rothe, Rote, Rot, Roth in southern Germany, Roter, Rother in Silesia, Rothe, Rothbart, and a few more. Some possible nicknames for Rufus are Russ, Ruff, Rufo, or Rush.
Rufus is a name that is seen in many fictional and literary works. Rufus is a video game character in Street Fighter IV and Rufus Shinra is another character from Final Fantasy VII. Rufus is also a character from the Kim Possible TV show. He helps Kim fight the bad guys. Some other animated characters named Rufus can be found in “Wacky Races,” by the name Rufus Ruffcut, and Rufus XIV, King of Rubovia from “A Rubovian Legend.”
Rufus
How To Pronounce Rufus?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Rufus in English.
Famous People With The Name Rufus
- Rufus CappadociaCanadian-American cellist, known for his cross-cultural recordings and performances
- Rufus Harley Jr.American jazz musician, the first to take up the Great Highland bagpipe as his primary instrument as a jazz musician
- Rufus ReidAmerican jazz bassist, educator, and composer, bearer of the 1997 Humanitarian Award, 1998 Jazz Educator Achievement Award, and 2001 Distinguished Achievement Award
- Rufus Geddie HerringUnited States Naval Reserve officer who received the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration
Rufus On The Popularity Chart
The graphs provided by the Social Security Administration showed that the name has suffered a decline in both population and ranking. Hover over the graphs below to get the specific numbers.
Popularity Over Time
The name’s popularity has been declining since the 1980s and hit its lowest point in 2014 with only 20 babies per million having the name.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The ranking of the name Rufus has also gone down in the past few decades. It dropped from 12,873 in 1983 to 24,441 in 2009.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Rufus
Searching for names that sound like Rufus? Here are some choices for you to choose from.
Popular Sibling Names For Rufus
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Rufus, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Rufus
Find matching brother names for Rufus and create a wonderful team of siblings.
RaffRaphe Raveen Ravenor Ravinger Rayford Reave Reaves Reef Reeford Girl Sibling Names For Rufus
Looking for some suitable sister names for Rufus? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
RaevynnRafenild Raivyn Ravenild Ravenna Ravette Ravon Ravyn Rayven Reveka Other Popular Names Beginning With R
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter R to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Rufus
If the name Rufus has piqued your interest, here are a few names that share a similar connotation.
Infographic: Know The Name Rufus‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name Rufus In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
rufus
In Sign Language
rufus
In Braille Alphabet
rufus
In Morse Code
rufus
Name Numerology For Rufus
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Rufus?
The name Rufus means ‘red.’
2. What is the origin of the name Rufus?
Rufus has Roman and German origins.
3. What are some middle names that go well with Rufus?
When choosing a middle name for Rufus, you h can go with names like Adam, which signifies ‘to be red,’ or Ruadh, which means ‘red.’ Another idea is to select middle names like Aulus and Caius that not only rhyme with Rufus but also have a pleasant two-syllable structure. Alternatively, you can explore middle names with origins similar to Rufus, such as Maarcus or Titus, to maintain a sense of unity and connection.
4. Is Rufus a trendy or traditional name?
Rufus is commonly regarded as a traditional name, as it has ancient Roman, English, and Biblical roots. The name is also linked to early saints, including one mentioned in Paul’s epistles in the New Testament, further emphasizing its religious and historical associations.
5. What are some cute nicknames for a baby named Rufus?
Rufus is indeed a delightful name, and it offers a plethora of cute nicknames to choose from. Some charming options include Ruffy, Rufin, Ruf, Ruff, Roo, Rufi, Russ, Rufo, Rufie, Rufster, and Rush. Having such a wide range of lovely names allows for a special and heartwarming connection with Rufus, making interactions all the more interesting.
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