Russell: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The name Russell appears in literature, such as in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Russell is the name of one of the hobbits in Tolkien’s legendarium.

Russell Overview

Meaning

Little red, red-haired

Gender

Boy

Origin

French

Etymology

Derived from the French name “Roussel,” meaning “little red one” or “red-haired”

Pronunciation

/ˈrʌs.əl/

Popularity

Russell is recognized in many English-speaking countries. In the USA, Russell ranked #391 for boys in 2023

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Traditional

Associated Traits

Strong, mature, reliable, approachable.

Name Day

November 10th (Germany)

Russell Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Roussel, Rasul, Ruslan, Russtel, Rousselle

Common Nicknames

Russ, Rusty, R.J., Rue, Sully

Diminutives

Russy, Russel, Rus, Sely, Ruse

Famous People

Russell Crowe
(New Zealand-born Actor)
Bertrand Russell
(British Philosopher)
Russell Westbrook
(American Basketball Player)
Russell Brand
(British Comedian)
Russell Simmons
(American Entrepreneur)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Russell
("Up," Film)
Russell Hammond
("Almost Famous," Film)
Russell Baze
("Out of the Furnace," Film)
Russell Bufalino
("The Irishman," Film)
Russell Edgington
("True Blood," TV Series)

Places

Russell City
(California, USA)
Russell Square
(London, England)
Russell Island
(Queensland, Australia)
Russell Falls
(Tasmania, Australia)
Russell Township
(Ohio, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Russell?

The name Russell means “little red” or “red-haired.” It evokes images of someone with a vibrant and warm personality, often associated with passion and energy.

What Is the Origin of The Name Russell?

Russell originates from the French surname “Roussel,” which means “little red one” and is derived from the Old French word “rous,” meaning red. It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Russell Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Russell in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#3552021	#3732022	#3892023
Top 3 Rankings	#481904	#491914	#491922

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Russell

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	389 (-16 from 2022)	813 (-52 from 2022)	0.04440
2022	373 (-18 from 2021)	865 (-53 from 2021)	0.04618
2021	355 (+14 from 2020)	918 (+76 from 2020)	0.04900
2020	369 (+23 from 2019)	842 (+42 from 2019)	0.04552
2019	392 (+21 from 2018)	800 (+31 from 2018)	0.04163
2018	413 (-9 from 2017)	769 (-20 from 2017)	0.03956
2017	404 (+3 from 2016)	789 (+4 from 2016)	0.03987
2016	407 (-4 from 2015)	785 (+16 from 2015)	0.03875
2015	403 (+6 from 2014)	769 (+12 from 2014)	0.03761
2014	409 (+24 from 2013)	757 (+85 from 2013)	0.03694
2013	433 (-7 from 2012)	672 (+15 from 2012)	0.03326
2012	426 (-25 from 2011)	657 (-50 from 2011)	0.03238
2011	401 (+4 from 2010)	707 (+9 from 2010)	0.03480
2010	405 (+29 from 2009)	698 (+52 from 2009)	0.03398
2009	434 (-29 from 2008)	646 (-80 from 2008)	0.03046
2008	405 (+3 from 2007)	726 (+14 from 2007)	0.03330
2007	408 (-5 from 2006)	712 (-28 from 2006)	0.03214
2006	403 (-10 from 2005)	740 (+10 from 2005)	0.03375
2005	393 (-31 from 2004)	730 (-38 from 2004)	0.03432
2004	362 (-19 from 2003)	768 (-43 from 2003)	0.03634
2003	343 (-16 from 2002)	811 (-27 from 2002)	0.03860
2002	327 (-20 from 2001)	838 (-87 from 2001)	0.04055
2001	307 (+13 from 2000)	925 (+31 from 2000)	0.04472
2000	320 (+5 from 1999)	894 (+39 from 1999)	0.04281
1999	325 (-28 from 1998)	855 (-97 from 1998)	0.04193
1998	297 (-41 from 1997)	952 (-148 from 1997)	0.04695
1997	256 (+4 from 1996)	1100 (+14 from 1996)	0.05506
1996	260 (-20 from 1995)	1086 (-119 from 1995)	0.05420
1995	240 (-5 from 1994)	1205 (-64 from 1994)	0.05991
1994	235 (-34 from 1993)	1269 (-248 from 1993)	0.06226
1993	201 (-16 from 1992)	1517 (-194 from 1992)	0.07344
1992	185 (-11 from 1991)	1711 (-122 from 1991)	0.08151
1991	174 (-32 from 1990)	1833 (-380 from 1990)	0.08648
1990	142 (-6 from 1989)	2213 (-4 from 1989)	0.10283
1989	136 (-8 from 1988)	2217 (-81 from 1988)	0.10577
1988	128 (-9 from 1987)	2298 (-81 from 1987)	0.11477
1987	119 (-3 from 1986)	2379 (-29 from 1986)	0.12199
1986	116 (-6 from 1985)	2408 (-165 from 1985)	0.12531
1985	110 (-4 from 1984)	2573 (-112 from 1984)	0.13370
1984	106 (-2 from 1983)	2685 (-59 from 1983)	0.14307
1983	104 (-7 from 1982)	2744 (-290 from 1982)	0.14724
1982	97 (+1 from 1981)	3034 (-13 from 1981)	0.16077
1981	98 (-6 from 1980)	3047 (-222 from 1980)	0.16361
1980	92 No change from 1979	3269 (+137 from 1979)	0.17625
1979	92 (+1 from 1978)	3132 (+148 from 1978)	0.17484
1978	93 (-4 from 1977)	2984 (-140 from 1977)	0.17464
1977	89 (-2 from 1976)	3124 (+125 from 1976)	0.18276
1976	87 (-5 from 1975)	2999 (-233 from 1975)	0.18370
1975	82 (+1 from 1974)	3232 (+64 from 1974)	0.19921
1974	83 (-6 from 1973)	3168 (-229 from 1973)	0.19433
1973	77 (-8 from 1972)	3397 (-386 from 1972)	0.21052
1972	69 (-5 from 1971)	3783 (-759 from 1971)	0.22598
1971	64 (-6 from 1970)	4542 (-566 from 1970)	0.24985
1970	58 (-1 from 1969)	5108 (-49 from 1969)	0.26817
1969	57 (-1 from 1968)	5157 (+60 from 1968)	0.28193
1968	56 (+2 from 1967)	5097 (+208 from 1967)	0.28708
1967	58 (+3 from 1966)	4889 (+31 from 1966)	0.27475
1966	61 (-3 from 1965)	4858 (-787 from 1965)	0.26727
1965	58 No change from 1964	5645 (-596 from 1964)	0.29795
1964	58 (-1 from 1963)	6241 (-459 from 1963)	0.30789
1963	57 No change from 1962	6700 (-344 from 1962)	0.32451
1962	57 (-2 from 1961)	7044 (-291 from 1961)	0.33516
1961	55 (+1 from 1960)	7335 (-145 from 1960)	0.34006
1960	56 No change from 1959	7480 (+3 from 1959)	0.34544
1959	56 (-2 from 1958)	7477 (+323 from 1958)	0.34512
1958	54 No change from 1957	7154 (-70 from 1957)	0.33199
1957	54 (-2 from 1956)	7224 (-178 from 1956)	0.33003
1956	52 (+5 from 1955)	7402 (+865 from 1955)	0.34488
1955	57 (+12 from 1954)	6537 (+775 from 1954)	0.31274
1954	69 (+2 from 1953)	5762 (+388 from 1953)	0.27847
1953	71 (-1 from 1952)	5374 (+25 from 1952)	0.26840
1952	70 (+3 from 1951)	5349 (+173 from 1951)	0.27107
1951	73 (-6 from 1950)	5176 (+232 from 1950)	0.27076
1950	67 (+2 from 1949)	4944 (-63 from 1949)	0.27183
1949	69 (-2 from 1948)	5007 (-103 from 1948)	0.27786
1948	67 (+2 from 1947)	5110 (-159 from 1947)	0.28664
1947	69 (-3 from 1946)	5269 (+529 from 1946)	0.28365
1946	66 (-2 from 1945)	4740 (+935 from 1945)	0.28720
1945	64 (-1 from 1944)	3805 (-126 from 1944)	0.27744
1944	63 (+10 from 1943)	3931 (+179 from 1943)	0.28298
1943	73 (-3 from 1942)	3752 (+78 from 1942)	0.25794
1942	70 (+5 from 1941)	3674 (+642 from 1941)	0.26088
1941	75 (-3 from 1940)	3032 (+20 from 1940)	0.24162
1940	72 (+1 from 1939)	3012 (+179 from 1939)	0.25393
1939	73 (-3 from 1938)	2833 (-117 from 1938)	0.24998
1938	70 (-3 from 1937)	2950 (+55 from 1937)	0.25957
1937	67 (+2 from 1936)	2895 (+64 from 1936)	0.26471
1936	69 (-1 from 1935)	2831 (-1 from 1935)	0.26600
1935	68 (+2 from 1934)	2832 (+95 from 1934)	0.26477
1934	70 (-3 from 1933)	2737 (+41 from 1933)	0.25774
1933	67 (-4 from 1932)	2696 (-325 from 1932)	0.26426
1932	63 No change from 1931	3021 (+78 from 1931)	0.28117
1931	63 (-3 from 1930)	2943 (-158 from 1930)	0.27510
1930	60 (-4 from 1929)	3101 (-82 from 1929)	0.27454
1929	56 (-1 from 1928)	3183 (-142 from 1928)	0.28738
1928	55 (-1 from 1927)	3325 (-215 from 1927)	0.29137
1927	54 (-2 from 1926)	3540 (-253 from 1926)	0.30467
1926	52 (+1 from 1925)	3793 (-10 from 1925)	0.33114
1925	53 (-1 from 1924)	3803 (-144 from 1924)	0.33029
1924	52 No change from 1923	3947 (+142 from 1923)	0.33763
1923	52 (-3 from 1922)	3805 (-160 from 1922)	0.33605
1922	49 (+3 from 1921)	3965 (+19 from 1921)	0.35238
1921	52 (-1 from 1920)	3946 (+45 from 1920)	0.34677
1920	51 (-1 from 1919)	3901 (+256 from 1919)	0.35438
1919	50 No change from 1918	3645 (-188 from 1918)	0.35900
1918	50 (+2 from 1917)	3833 (+397 from 1917)	0.36552
1917	52 (-1 from 1916)	3436 (+106 from 1916)	0.35818
1916	51 No change from 1915	3330 (+80 from 1915)	0.36069
1915	51 (-2 from 1914)	3250 (+682 from 1914)	0.36893
1914	49 (+1 from 1913)	2568 (+622 from 1913)	0.37581
1913	50 (+6 from 1912)	1946 (+497 from 1912)	0.36289
1912	56 (-1 from 1911)	1449 (+679 from 1911)	0.32096
1911	55 (+3 from 1910)	770 (+155 from 1910)	0.31898
1910	58 No change from 1909	615 (+87 from 1909)	0.29494
1909	58 (-2 from 1908)	528 (+5 from 1908)	0.29854
1908	56 (+1 from 1907)	523 (+20 from 1907)	0.31437
1907	57 (-4 from 1906)	503 (+44 from 1906)	0.31718
1906	53 (+4 from 1905)	459 (+27 from 1905)	0.31860
1905	57 (-9 from 1904)	432 (-41 from 1904)	0.30161
1904	48 (+8 from 1903)	473 (+83 from 1903)	0.34151
1903	56 (-3 from 1902)	390 (-32 from 1902)	0.30157
1902	53 (-3 from 1901)	422 (+27 from 1901)	0.31789
1901	50 (+12 from 1900)	395 (-32 from 1900)	0.34172
1900	62 (-6 from 1899)	427 (+89 from 1899)	0.26338
1899	56 (+5 from 1898)	338 (-21 from 1898)	0.29342
1898	61 (+3 from 1897)	359 (+64 from 1897)	0.27177
1897	64 No change from 1896	295 (-32 from 1896)	0.24192
1896	64 (+2 from 1895)	327 (+27 from 1895)	0.25335
1895	66 (+6 from 1894)	300 (+22 from 1894)	0.23689
1894	72 (+3 from 1893)	278 (+32 from 1893)	0.22259
1893	75 No change from 1892	246 (-23 from 1892)	0.20324
1892	75 (+11 from 1891)	269 (+83 from 1891)	0.20464
1891	86 (+8 from 1890)	186 (+4 from 1890)	0.17023
1890	94 (-5 from 1889)	182 (-16 from 1889)	0.15205
1889	89 (+25 from 1888)	198 (+52 from 1888)	0.16634
1888	114 (+19 from 1887)	146 (+50 from 1887)	0.11239
1887	133 (-11 from 1886)	96 (-19 from 1886)	0.08782
1886	122 (+23 from 1885)	115 (+21 from 1885)	0.09661
1885	145 (-12 from 1884)	94 (-13 from 1884)	0.08107
1884	133 (+47 from 1883)	107 (+40 from 1883)	0.08718
1883	180 (+4 from 1882)	67 (-6 from 1882)	0.05957
1882	184 (-6 from 1881)	73 (+8 from 1881)	0.05982
1881	178 (+18 from 1880)	65 (+3 from 1880)	0.06003
1880	196 First SSA data recorded	62 First SSA data recorded	0.05237

American States Popularity Rankings for Russell

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#3692021

#4472022

#4842023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#3132021

#3032022

#3732023

New York (NY)

#4212021

#4122022

#4202023

Ohio (OH)

#3042021

#3062022

#3472023

Illinois (IL)

#4172021

#3452022

#3392023

Texas (TX)

#4282021

#5292022

#5392023

Michigan (MI)

#3902021

#2752022

#3592023

Massachusetts (MA)

#2212021

#3132022

#2132023

New Jersey (NJ)

#4552021

#3302022

#3742023

Missouri (MO)

#3732021

#4192022

#4202023

Indiana (IN)

#2952021

#3972022

#5022023

Wisconsin (WI)

#4212021

#2852022

#2612023

Virginia (VA)

#2602021

#4092022

#3302023

Georgia (GA)

#4672021

#4652022

#3572023

Minnesota (MN)

#1982021

#2372022

#2562023

Iowa (IA)

#2502021

#3302022

#4432023

North Carolina (NC)

#3572021

#3972022

#4272023

Florida (FL)

#5702021

#4862022

#7052023

Kentucky (KY)

#2732021

#4802022

#4812023

Louisiana (LA)

#6262021

#3532022

#4782023

Maryland (MD)

#3142021

#3592022

#3382023

Washington (WA)

#3692021

#3272022

#4612023

Tennessee (TN)

#4132021

#3102022

#6032023

Oklahoma (OK)

#4952021

#4212022

#6832023

West Virginia (WV)

#3682017

#3372018

#2662019

South Carolina (SC)

#2552021

#5192022

#4502023

Alabama (AL)

#5372021

#4752022

#3052023

Kansas (KS)

#3122021

#4922022

#3702023

Connecticut (CT)

#3182021

#2582022

#3392023

Utah (UT)

#2022021

#2252022

#1652023

Colorado (CO)

#3842021

#2992022

#3602023

Nebraska (NE)

#4232021

#3422022

#4232023

Arkansas (AR)

#5332019

#3582020

#3542023

Mississippi (MS)

#3222020

#2622021

#3672023

Oregon (OR)

#2632021

#3612022

#2942023

Maine (ME)

#1812021

#2292022

#2182023

Arizona (AZ)

#5002021

#4062022

#4192023

Rhode Island (RI)

#1341995

#1431997

#1701999

Montana (MT)

#1842019

#1252020

#2242022

Idaho (ID)

#1852021

#2522022

#2482023

South Dakota (SD)

#1992019

#1842021

#2352023

District of Columbia (DC)

#2662001

#2242002

#2862015

North Dakota (ND)

#1792021

#2292022

#2772023

Hawaii (HI)

#2482005

#2312018

#2442019

New Hampshire (NH)

#2552016

#1692017

#2232023

New Mexico (NM)

#4302019

#3482022

#3952023

Vermont (VT)

#911980

#1291984

#1321988

Nevada (NV)

#4442019

#4922022

#4242023

Wyoming (WY)

#1121993

#1401998

#1832015

Delaware (DE)

#1471993

#1171997

#1422000

Alaska (AK)

#2152014

#1652015

#1352019

Popularity Rankings for Russell in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#971983

#951984

#971985

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#1922001

#3052004

#3922020

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#2902002

#3462011

#3852014

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#4662013

#4702015

#3252018

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#4012021

#4102022

#5212023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#7642019

#7552021

#6572022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#7742012

#8842015

#7992021

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#8662012

#9592014

#9032015

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Russell a Name for Boys or Girls?

Russell is considered a male name. The name’s association with notable men and its traditional usage have cemented its status as a boy’s name.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Russell

Roussel
Rasul
Ruslan
Russtel
Rousselle

Russ
Rusty
R.J.
Rue
Sully

Russy
Russel
Rus
Sely
Ruse

Russell in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Russell Crowe (Actor, born 1964): A New Zealand-born actor acclaimed for his roles in films like Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.
Bertrand Russell (Philosopher, 1872-1970): A British philosopher and logician, he was a prominent figure in analytic philosophy and a Nobel laureate.
Russell Westbrook (Basketball Player, born 1988): An American professional basketball player known for his exceptional athleticism and triple-doubles.
Russell Brand (Comedian, born 1975): A British comedian and actor recognized for his flamboyant personality and outspoken views.
Russell Simmons (Entrepreneur, born 1957): An American entrepreneur who co-founded Def Jam Recordings and is a significant figure in the hip-hop industry.
Russell Johnson (Actor, 1924-2014): An American actor famous for playing the Professor on the TV show Gilligan's Island.
Russell Baker (Journalist, 1925-2019): An American journalist and author, he won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work in commentary and autobiography.

Russell ("Up," 2009 Animated Film): A young Wilderness Explorer who embarks on an adventure to Paradise Falls with an elderly man.
Russell Hammond ("Almost Famous," 2000 Film): A charismatic guitarist of the fictional band Stillwater.
Russell Baze ("Out of the Furnace," 2013 Film): A steel mill worker who seeks justice for his missing brother.
Russell Bufalino ("The Irishman," 2019 Film): A powerful and influential mob boss involved in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.
Russell Edgington ("True Blood," 2008 TV Series): A powerful vampire king with a ruthless and ancient demeanor.
Russell Corwin ("Six Feet Under," 2001 TV Series): A recurring character who dates one of the main characters.
Russell ("Happy Endings," 2011 TV Series): A successful businessman and love interest of one of the main characters.

Russell City (California, USA): A former unincorporated community now largely part of Hayward.
Russell Square (London, England): A large garden square in Bloomsbury, London, near the British Museum.
Russell Island (Queensland, Australia): An island in Southern Moreton Bay, part of the Redland City local government area.
Russell Falls (Tasmania, Australia): A tiered–cascade waterfall on the Russell Falls Creek, located in Mount Field National Park.
Russell Township (Ohio, USA): A township in Geauga County, known for its rural atmosphere and parks.
Russell River (Queensland, Australia): A river in Far North Queensland, flowing into the Coral Sea.
Russell City (Kansas, USA): A city in Russell County, known for its oil production.
Russell Cave National Monument (Alabama, USA): A U.S. National Monument featuring prehistoric archeological sites.

Roswell
Rusty
Raoul
Rassell

Sibling Names for Russell

For a Brother
For a Sister

Russell Name Meaning