Holding steady.
Popularity of Rufino since 1914
Babies named Rufino per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 33 |
| 1920s | 154 |
| 1930s | 119 |
| 1940s | 152 |
| 1950s | 153 |
| 1960s | 146 |
| 1970s | 146 |
| 1980s | 188 |
| 1990s | 201 |
| 2000s | 202 |
| 2010s | 108 |
| 2020s | 48 |
Meaning & origin
Rufino is a name with deep Latin roots, popular in Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures. In the United States, its peak year was 1927, though it has never been a common choice here. Since its first recorded year in U.S. data (1914), it has maintained a stable but low trajectory, with fewer than five boys receiving the name annually in recent years. Rufino has not appeared in any top state rankings, reflecting its niche status. The name offers a distinctive alternative to more common 'Roo-' names like Rufus, with a melodic ending that softens its ancient, ruddy meaning.
Rufino is the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of the Latin name Rufinus, a derivative of Rufus, which means 'red-haired' or 'ruddy.' The name Rufus was a common Roman cognomen, borne by several early Christian saints and martyrs. Rufino has been used in Italy and the Iberian Peninsula since medieval times, though it has remained relatively uncommon in modern usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rufo, Rufi, Nino
Variants: Rufinus, Rufin
Sibling names for Rufino
Names that share Rufino's style, for a brother or sister.
