Name meaning & stats
Russell
Russell means “little red one”. 261,605 US babies since 1940, peak 1960. Notable Russells are 1.3× over-represented as politicians.
What it means
“little red one”
Well documented
Originally a surname.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1960
261,605 US babies were named Russell between 1940 and 2025.
Where Russells end up
Not enough notable Russells yet, so this uses the spelling family: Russell, Russel.
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Politician | 1.3× | High · 52 people |
| Footballer | 0.9× | High · 33 people |
| Actor | 1.0× | High · 32 people |
| Writer | 1.2× | High · 29 people |
Among notable men who are politicians, the Russell family show up 1.3× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Russell has a surprise career: 1.5×
Spelling family
Russell is the main spelling
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1960)