Russell is a name of English origin, derived from the Old French word "Roussel," which was in turn derived from the Germanic elements "Hrod" and "wulf." The meaning of Russell is "little red one," referring to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
The name Russell has been popular throughout history. In medieval England, it was often used as a nickname for people who had red hair or were energetic and lively. Over time, Russell evolved from a nickname to a given name, becoming more widespread in the 19th century.
Some notable individuals with the name Russell include actors like Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn's daughter Kate Hudson (whose birth name isKate Garry Hudson), and musicians such as Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia and rock guitarist Joe Perry of Aerosmith. These famous figures have contributed to the enduring popularity of the name Russell.
Today, Russell remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong, classic name with a touch of uniqueness. It's often shortened to Russ or Rusty, offering nicknames that are just as appealing. Overall, Russell is a timeless name with a rich history and an attractive meaning that continues to captivate people around the world.
Here are some observations based on the provided statistics for the name Russell:
* The popularity of the name Russell has varied significantly over time.
* In the late 19th century (1880-1899), there were consistently fewer than 200 births per year. The highest in this period was 198 births in 1889.
* The early 20th century (1900-1939) saw a steady increase in the number of Russell births, with the count surpassing 300 annually by 1914. The highest figure during this period was 473 births in 1915.
* During World War II (1939-1945), there was an even greater increase in popularity, with over 4000 Russell births recorded in 1942 alone.
* Post-war (1946-1969), the number of Russell births continued to rise, peaking at 7335 births in 1959. This was by far the most popular year for the name Russell in terms of births.
* The late 1960s and early 1970s saw a decline in popularity, with fewer than 4000 Russell births per year from 1972 onwards.
* Since the mid-1980s, the number of Russell births has fluctuated between approximately 500 to just over 1000 annually.
* In recent years (2000-2023), the popularity of the name Russell has shown a slight resurgence, with around 700 to 900 births per year.
* Over the entire period from 1880 to 2023, there were a total of 357916 births named Russell.