Name profile

BoyPronounced Latin /ˈruː.fus/; English /ˈɹuː.fəs/English language family

Rufus

A name meaning "red-haired".

Quick answer

Rufus is a boy name meaning "red-haired".

Pronunciation: Latin /ˈruː.fus/; English /ˈɹuː.fəs/.

GenderBoy
Meaningred-haired
PronunciationLatin /ˈruː.fus/; English /ˈɹuː.fəs/
Language familyEnglish

Meaning and history

Roman cognomen meaning "red-haired" in Latin. Several early saints had this name, including one mentioned in one of Paul 's epistles in the New Testament. As a nickname it was used by William II Rufus, a king of England, because of his red hair. It came into general use in the English-speaking world after the Protestant Reformation.

Notes and context

Usage: ancient roman, english, biblical