Skip to main content
Name Biscuit

Boy name

Rufus

Rufus ranks #80 out of 6,032 boy dog names in our data (the #1 boy dog name is Charlie). Across all 17 places, 498 dogs carry the name. It's also a cat name: #118 among boy cat names.
Rufus's popularity trend

Rufus's share of dogs, year by year — or toggle to its yearly rank. Peak year by share: 2011.

0.025%0.05%0.075%200720112015201920232025
Dogs in our data
498
across 17 places
Popularity rank
#80
of 6,032 boy dog names
5-year rank move
−97
2020 → 2025
Gender split
99% boys
1% girls99% boys
What does Rufus mean?
/ˈɹuːfəs/2 syllablesOrigin: Latin

Rufus comes directly from the Latin word rūfus, meaning "red" or "reddish" — historically used to describe someone with red or ruddy coloring. It was a common personal name and nickname in ancient Rome.

Rufus has a warm, rugged charm, equal parts old-world and approachable. It's an especially fitting choice for a pet with a red, russet, or copper-toned coat.

Etymology & pronunciation from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Where Rufus shows up

Rufus's share of each place's counted dogs. Places count differently — hover a Share figure for the basis. Click a heading to sort.

TorontoCanada0.3%
BurnsideAustralia0.3%
AdelaideAustralia0.2%
CambridgeUnited States of America0.2%
DarwinAustralia0.1%
SeattleUnited States of America0.1%
ProspectAustralia0.1%
Maple RidgeCanada0.1%
WorcesterUnited States of America0.1%
Noosa ShireAustralia0.1%
Port Adelaide EnfieldAustralia0.1%
New York CityUnited States of America0.1%
PlayfordAustralia0.1%
Surf Coast ShireAustralia0.1%
Allegheny CountyUnited States of America0.0%
Basel-StadtSwitzerland0.0%
ZürichSwitzerland0.0%

Names like Rufus

RuffusRufioRuffyRuffRoofusRuffles

Rufus appears on

Old Man Dog NamesCute Boy Dog Names