Name profile

BoyEnglish language family

Russell

A name meaning "little red one".

Quick answer

Russell is a boy name meaning "little red one".

GenderBoy
Meaninglittle red one
Language familyEnglish

Meaning and history

This name comes from the English surname Russell, of Norman origin, meaning "little red one" (a diminutive of Old French rous "red"). A notable bearer of the surname was the agnostic British philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872-1970), who wrote on many subjects including logic, epistemology and mathematics. He was also a political activist for causes such as pacifism and women's rights. This name was common throughout the English-speaking world for most of the 20th century, though in the 1960s it began a slow decline in most places.

Notes and context

Usage: english