A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ruffin since 1886
Babies named Ruffin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ruffin's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 72 |
| 1920s | 128 |
| 1930s | 66 |
| 1940s | 105 |
| 1950s | 68 |
| 1960s | 30 |
| 1970s | 20 |
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 17 |
| 2000s | 7 |
| 2010s | 15 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Ruffin is a rare given name with a long but sparse history. First recorded in 1886, it saw its peak in that year and then virtually disappeared from the charts until a recent resurgence starting in 2022. The name is currently in a rising trajectory, likely appealing to parents seeking distinctive surname-style names with old-fashioned charm. As a masculine name tied to the color red, it shares a kinship with other 'red' names like Rufus and Russell. Its revival aligns with broader trends of resurrecting 19th-century names. While still extremely uncommon, Ruffin has the potential to gain traction as more parents look for names that feel both historical and fresh.
Ruffin is an English surname that originated as a diminutive of the Norman French name Ruff, itself from the Germanic element hrod 'fame' or from the Latin Rufus 'red-haired'. It has been used as a given name since the 19th century, primarily in the southern United States. The name saw modest use in the 1880s and again in revival in the 2020s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ruff, Ruffy
Variants: Ruffin, Rufin
Sibling names for Ruffin
Names that share Ruffin's style, for a brother or sister.
