What Does the Name Russell Mean?
Russell is a boy's name of Norman French origin meaning “little red one.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Russell |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Norman French |
| Meaning | little red one |
| Variants | Russel, Russ, Roussel |
| Popularity | Most popular as a given name in the United States and United Kingdom, especially mid-20th century. |
The meaning and origin of Russell
The name Russell means “little red one” and has Norman French origins. An English name from the Norman French surname 'Rousel', a diminutive of 'rous' (red), originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
Variants and related names
Russell is related to several other names you may recognize: Russel, Russ, Roussel. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Russell?
Most popular as a given name in the United States and United Kingdom, especially mid-20th century.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Russell mean?+
The name Russell means “little red one” and is of Norman French origin.
What is the origin of the name Russell?+
Russell originates from Norman French.
Is Russell a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Russell has trended in the US over time.
Russell by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press