Boy · 321st of 7,545
Russel
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
16,596
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1920
Peak Popularity Year
394
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Russel stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Russel is derived from Old French and means 'little red one' or 'red-haired'. The name has evolved through various forms from Old French to Modern English. It reflects traits of friendliness and reliability. There is no significant biblical relevance associated with this name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈrʌsəl/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Russel is derived from the Old French surname 'Russel', which means 'little red one' or 'red-haired'. It originates from the word 'rous', meaning 'red'.
Meaning
little red one, red-haired
Language Evolution
Old French: Russel, Middle English: Russel, Modern English: Russel
Historical Usage
Russel gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, becoming a common given name and surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Russell, Rusty, Rus
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Russel is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with a strong and reliable personality.
Famous People
Russell Crowe, Russell Brand, Russell Wilson
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 394 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 40 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 321st of 7545 | 5,235 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 434th of 6773 | 3,353 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 553rd of 7552 | 3,519 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 721st of 10718 | 2,064 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1195th of 16616 | 1,221 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2934th of 24088 | 564 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4278th of 23106 | 287 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7503rd of 9107 | 12 |