Rusty

Rusty: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “red-haired”
Origin: English
Say it: RUSS-tee · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys (97% of all uses)

Usually an English nickname from rust-colored hair or a rustic surname-style nickname. It can also be a diminutive of Russell.

English names Modern names Short names

How popular is Rusty?

202412.9 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Rusty in 202443

2024 rank#3,341 boys

Peak year1979

Total US babies since 188018,309

Rusty is steady now but far below its 1979 peak.

Names like Rusty

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Russelllittle red-haired one · French
Russellittle red-haired one · French
Russred-haired · English
JackGod is gracious · English
Hudsonson of Hudd · English
Jacksonson of Jack · English
Cartercart driver · English
Wyattbrave in war · English

Rusty questions

What does the name Rusty mean?

Rusty means "red-haired". It comes from English. Usually an English nickname from rust-colored hair or a rustic surname-style nickname. It can also be a diminutive of Russell.

Is Rusty a boy or girl name?

Rusty is mainly a boy's name in US records (97% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Rusty?

43 US babies were named Rusty in 2024. Its peak year was 1979.

How do you pronounce Rusty?

Rusty is usually pronounced RUSS-tee.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.