Boy · 51st of 7,545
Russell
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
360,516
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1960
Peak Popularity Year
7,505
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Russell 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
Russell is of Old French origin, meaning 'little red one'. It evolved from Old French through Middle English to its current form. The name is often associated with traits of reliability and strength, and it has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in the 19th century, and continues to be a well-regarded name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈrʌsəl/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Russell is derived from the Old French 'russel', which means 'little red one', a diminutive of 'rus', meaning 'red', referring to the color of hair or complexion.
Meaning
little red one
Language Evolution
Old French: Russel, Middle English: Russel, Modern English: Russell
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages and was used as both a surname and a given name. It became more common in the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Rusty, Rudy, Rus, Russo
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Russell is perceived as a classic and friendly name, often associated with reliability and strength.
Famous People
Russell Crowe, Russell Brand, Russell Westbrook, Russell Simmons
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
Highly Popular name with 7,505 peak births in 1960
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 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 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 51st of 7545 | 59,667 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 70th of 6773 | 56,556 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 61st of 7552 | 117,329 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 73rd of 10718 | 64,383 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 144th of 16616 | 34,218 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 365th of 24088 | 12,759 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 400th of 23106 | 9,678 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1788th of 9107 | 383 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2052nd of 9204 | 309 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2509th of 12526 | 385 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3029th of 19264 | 369 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5857th of 27321 | 221 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 30690th of 35406 | 10 |