Boy’s name · French, English

Russell

How to say it: RUS-ul · /ˈrʌsəl/

From an Old French nickname meaning 'little red one', referring to hair color. Used first as a surname, then given name.

Russell was the 349th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 944 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1910s, its births are up about 23% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #332 by 2030.

Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures

#349for boys in 2025
1 in 3,512US babies
944born in 2025
#332projected for 2030
1910sits peak decade
1 in 147chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Russell
Rank among boys’ names, 2025#349
Babies born in 2025944
Share of births1 in 3,512
Peak decade1910s
Change over 10 years+23%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)#332

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

Russell crested in the 1910s and stays in circulation. Far under its former height at the moment, an upturn is anticipated.

1900195020002020–25
Peak: 3,645 per million births, 1910s.

What goes with it

Breathy and mellow, Russell has a soft rumble. Raymond pairs with it in style.

Nicknames

  • Russ

Honouring a Russell in the family

In the classroom

In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Russell is about 1 in 147.

Around the world

This spelling is used in English, French.

Famous people named Russell

From Wikidata and Wikipedia

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