Russell Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Russell is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Russell?
Russell is spelled R-U-S-S-E-L-L. The name has 7 letters.
Russell at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Russell is derived from a term meaning “red-haired” or “red” in Old French.
- Origin
- Russell may derive from the Old French nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
- Pronunciation
- RUH-suhl · 2 syllables
Russell Popularity in 2025
Rank#345
Recorded Births944
- Boys usage rose 22 places to #345 and recorded 47 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Russell Mean?
Russell is derived from a term meaning “red-haired” or “red” in Old French.
Origin: Russell may derive from the Old French nickname for a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
How Do You Pronounce Russell?
PronunciationRUH-suhl
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Russell?
- History
- The name Russell has been used in English-speaking countries since at least the Middle Ages, originally as a surname before becoming a given name.
Russell Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2003 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 944 | #345 |
| 2024 | Boys | 897 | #367 |
| 2023 | Boys | 815 | #391 |
| 2022 | Boys | 868 | #373 |
| 2021 | Boys | 919 | #355 |
| 2020 | Boys | 842 | #370 |
| 2019 | Boys | 804 | #391 |
| 2018 | Boys | 769 | #413 |
| 2017 | Boys | 790 | #404 |
| 2016 | Boys | 785 | #407 |
| 2015 | Boys | 769 | #403 |
| 2014 | Boys | 757 | #410 |
| 2013 | Boys | 672 | #433 |
| 2012 | Boys | 657 | #426 |
| 2011 | Boys | 707 | #401 |
| 2010 | Boys | 699 | #403 |
| 2009 | Boys | 646 | #434 |
| 2008 | Boys | 726 | #405 |
| 2007 | Boys | 712 | #409 |
| 2006 | Boys | 741 | #403 |
| 2005 | Boys | 731 | #392 |
| 2004 | Girls | 10 | #9,892 |
| 2004 | Boys | 768 | #362 |
| 2003 | Boys | 811 | #343 |
When Was Russell Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1960 · Boys
7,487 recorded births
National rank #56
1959 · Boys
7,480 recorded births
National rank #56
1956 · Boys
7,402 recorded births
National rank #52
1961 · Boys
7,333 recorded births
National rank #55
Where Russell Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| AK | #110 | 7 |
| ID | #113 | 22 |
| MT | #173 | 7 |
| OR | #181 | 23 |
| ND | #191 | 6 |
| MN | #202 | 32 |
| UT | #206 | 26 |
| IA | #206 | 19 |