Russell is a

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

that originated from the surname Russell, which in turn derives from the French name ''russel'' (Old Norse ''rossel'') "red-haired, from ''rus'' (Old Norse ''ros'') "red hair color" and the suffix ''-el''. The name came into greater use in England as a first name in honor of

William Russell, Lord Russell William Russell, Lord Russell (29 September 163921 July 1683) was an English Country Party politician and nobleman. He was a leading member of the Country Party, forerunners of the Whigs, who during the reign of Charles II of England laid th ...

following his execution for treason in 1683. Supporters who believed his trial was unjust named their sons in his honor. Some American patriots considered Lord Russell a victim of a

tyrannical A tyrant (), in the modern English usage of the word, is an absolute ruler who is unrestrained by law, or one who has usurped a legitimate ruler's sovereignty. Often portrayed as cruel, tyrants may defend their positions by resorting to r ...

British monarchy The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers Constitutional monarchy, regula ...

and a "

martyr A martyr (, ''mártys'', 'witness' Word stem, stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an external party. In ...

for

liberty Liberty is the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views. The concept of liberty can vary depending on perspective and context. In the Constitutional ...

" and also named sons after him. Russell was the 197th most popular name for newborn boys in the United States in 1880 and reached the height of its popularity in 1914 when it was the 49th most popular name for American boys. It has remained in regular use in the

Anglosphere The Anglosphere, also known as the Anglo-American world, is a Western-led sphere of influence among the Anglophone countries. The core group of this sphere of influence comprises five developed countries that maintain close social, cultura ...

throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Russell might be shortened to Russ or

Rusty Rusty may refer to something covered with rust or with a rust (color). Rusty is also a nickname for people who have red hair, have a rust-hued skin tone, or have the given name Russell (given name), Russell. Rusty may also refer to: People *Rust ...

, which is a modern English

hypocorism A hypocorism ( or ; from Ancient Greek ; sometimes also ''hypocoristic''), or pet name, is a name used to show affection for a person. It may be a diminutive form of a person's name, such as ''Izzy'' for Isabel or ''Bob (given name), Bob'' fo ...

for a boy with

red hair Red hair, also known as ginger hair, is a human hair color found in 2–6% of people of northern Europe, Northern or Northwestern European ancestry and lesser frequency in other populations. It is most common in individuals Zygosity#Homozy ...

as well as a nickname for Russell. Notable people with the name include:

People

* Russell Ackoff (1919–2009), American organizational theorist *

Russell Allen Russell Allen (born July 19, 1971) is an American singer best known as the vocalist of the progressive metal band Symphony X. He has also worked with the supergroups Star One, Allen-Lande, Adrenaline Mob, Level 10, and as one of fourteen vo ...

(born 1971), American singer * Russell Alger (1836–1907), American politician *

Russell Baker Russell Wayne Baker (August 14, 1925 – January 21, 2019) was an American journalist, narrator, writer of Pulitzer Prize-winning satirical commentary and self-critical prose, and author of Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography '' Growing Up'' (1 ...

(1925–2019), American writer *

Russell Banks Russell Earl Banks (March 28, 1940 – January 8, 2023) was an American writer of fiction and poetry. His novels are known for "detailed accounts of domestic strife and the daily struggles of ordinary often-marginalized characters". He drew from ...

(1940–2023), American writer * Russell Basser (born 1960), Australian Olympic water polo player * Russell Batiste Jr. (1965–2023), American drummer *

Russell Brand Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian, actor, podcaster and media personality. He established himself as a stand-up comedian and radio host before becoming a film actor. After beginning his career as a comedian and la ...

(born 1975), British television presenter and comedian *

Russell Branyan Russell Oles Branyan (born December 19, 1975) is an American former professional baseball first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians (two occasions), Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers (two occasions), Ta ...

(born 1975), American baseball player * Russell G. Cleary (1933–1997), American businessman *

Russell Conwell Russell Herman Conwell (February 15, 1843 – December 6, 1925) was an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, author, lawyer, and writer. He is best remembered as the founder and first president of Temple University in Philadelphi ...

(1843-1925), American baptist minister and founder of Temple University *

Russell Coutts Sir Russell Coutts (born 1 March 1962) is a world champion New Zealand yachtsman. He won an Olympic gold medal and skippered three Americas Cup victories in 1995, 2000, and 2003. Early life Coutts was educated at Otago Boys' High School ...

(born 1962), New Zealand sailor *

Russell Crossley Russell Crossley (25 June 1927 – 2 July 2018) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Liverpool in The Football League. Early life and career Russell Crossley was born on 25 June 1927 in Hebden Bridge. Crossley came to Live ...

(1927–2018), English footballer *

Russell Crowe Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is an actor and film director. Russell Crowe filmography, His work on screen has earned him List of awards and nominations received by Russell Crowe, various accolades, including an Academy Award, two Gold ...

(born 1964), New Zealand-born Australian actor *

Russell T Davies Stephen Russell Davies ( ; born 27 April 1963), known professionally as Russell T Davies, is a Welsh screenwriter and television producer. He is best known for being the original showrunner and head writer of the revival of the BBC sci-fi seri ...

(born 1963), British screenwriter and producer *

Russell Dickerson Russell Edward Dickerson (born May 7, 1987) is an American country pop singer-songwriter from Union City, Tennessee. Dickerson has released three albums through Triple Tigers, and has had four number one singles on the ''Billboard'' Country Ai ...

(born 1987), American country music singer * Russell G. Dunmore (1884–1935), New York politician *

Russell Drysdale Sir George Russell Drysdale (7 February 1912 – 29 June 1981), also known as Tass Drysdale, was an Australian artist. He won the prestigious Wynne Prize for ''Sofala (Drysdale), Sofala'' in 1947, and represented Australia at the Venice Biennal ...

(1912–1981), Australian painter *

Russell Feingold Russell Dana Feingold ( ; born March 2, 1953) is an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin from 1993 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was its nominee in the 2016 election for the same U. ...

(born 1953), United States Senator from Wisconsin *

Russell Gage Russell Gage Jr. (born January 22, 1996) is an American professional American football, football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers football, LSU Tigers, ...

(born 1996), American football player *

Russell Gilbert Russell Gilbert (born 17 October 1959) is an Australian comedian from Footscray, Victoria, best known for his television appearances on programs such as ''The Comedy Company'', ''Hey Hey It's Saturday'' and ''The Russell Gilbert Show''; he was a ...

(born 1959), Australian comedian *

Russell Grant Russell John Dammerall Grant (born 5 February 1951) is a British astrologer and media personality. He has written several books on astrology, provides syndicated newspaper horoscopes and operates premium rate astrology phone lines. In March 2 ...

(born 1951), British astrologer * Russell Hansbrough (born 1993), American football player * Russell Hantz (born 1972), American oil company owner and three-time ''

Survivor Survivor(s) may refer to: * one who survives Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Survivors, characters in the 1997 KKnD series#Armies, ''KKnD'' video-game series * ''The Survivors'', or the ''New Survivors Foundation'', a fictional ...

'' contestant *

Russell Harty Frederic Russell Harty (5 September 1934 – 8 June 1988) was an English television presenter of arts programmes and chat show host. Early life Harty was born in Blackburn, Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated ''Lancs'') is a ceremon ...

(1934–1988), British television presenter * Russell Henderson (1924–2015), Trinidad-born jazz musician * Russell F. Hicks (1820–1869), New York lawyer and politician * Russell Hinder, (born 1979), Australian basketball player *

Russell Hoban Russell Conwell Hoban (February 4, 1925 – December 13, 2011) was an American writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London fro ...

(1925–2011), American writer * Russell Hogg (1968–2012), Scottish badminton player *

Russell Howard Russell Joseph Howard (born 23 March 1980) is an English comedian, television presenter, radio presenter and actor. He has hosted his own television shows, ''Russell Howard's Good News'' and ''The Russell Howard Hour'', and appeared on the topi ...

(born 1980), British comedian * Russell P. Hughes (born 1946), American/British chemist *

Russell Alan Hulse Russell Alan Hulse (born November 28, 1950) is an American physicist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, shared with his thesis advisor Joseph Hooton Taylor Jr., "for the discovery of a new type of pulsar, a discovery that has opened up ...

(born 1950), American physicist *

Russell Johnson Russell David Johnson (November 10, 1924 – January 16, 2014) was an American actor. He played Professor Roy Hinkley in '' Gilligan's Island'' and Marshal Gib Scott in '' Black Saddle''. Early life Johnson was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, ...

(1924–2014), American actor *

Russell Kane Russell Kane (born Russell David Anthony Grineau; 19 August 1975) is an English writer, comedian, and actor. He has four times been nominated at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, winning the Best Comedy Show award in 2010. Although known mainly for ...

(born 1975), English writer, comedian, and actor *

Russell Kirk Russell Amos Kirk (October 19, 1918 – April 29, 1994) was an American political philosopher, moralist, historian, social critic, literary critic, author, and novelist who influenced 20th century American conservatism. In 1953, he authored '' T ...

(1918–1994), American political theorist *

Russell Kun Russell Effaney Kun (born 24 May 1966) is a political figure from the Pacific nation of Nauru and former powerlifter. Background In the May 2003 elections Kun stood for the Parliament of Nauru, and was elected to represent the Ubenide constit ...

(born 1966), Nauruan politician *

Russell Lissack Russell Lissack is an English musician. He is the lead guitarist of London-based indie rock group Bloc Party, whom he founded with Kele Okereke in 1999. He released a self-titled album with side project Pin Me Down in 2010, and was a touring memb ...

(born 1981), British guitarist * Russell M. Little (1809–1891), New York state senator * Russell Long (1918–2003), American politician * Russell Lynes (1910–1991), American art historian and photographer * Russell Martin (born 1983), Canadian baseball player *

Russell Mael Russell Craig Mael (born October 5, 1948) is an American singer best known as the lead singer for the band Sparks (band), Sparks, which he formed in 1971 with his elder brother Ron Mael. Mael is known for his wide vocal range, in particular his f ...

(born 1948), American rock singer *

Russell Malone Russell Lamar Malone (November 8, 1963 – August 23, 2024) was an American jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988 and went on to work with Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s. Biography Malone was born in ...

(born 1963), American jazz guitarist *

Russell Maryland Russell James Maryland (born March 22, 1969) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 10 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He p ...

(born 1969), American football player *

Russell Means Russell Charles Means (; November 10, 1939 – October 22, 2012) was an Oglala Lakota activist for the rights of Native Americans, libertarian political activist, actor, musician and writer. He became a prominent member of the American Indi ...

(1939–2012), Oglala Lakota activist *

Russell Mehta Russell Arunbhai Mehta is an Indian businessman. He is the managing director of Rosy Blue India, the Indian arm of the family-owned Indian conglomerate with interests in retail, media, real estate, financial services and diamonds Rosy Blue. Ear ...

, Indian businessman * Russell Miller (born 1938), British journalist and author of fifteen books, including biographies * Russell A. Miller (born 1969), American law professor (Washington and Lee University) *

Russell D. Moore Russell D. Moore (born 9 October 1971) is an American Theology, theologian, Christian ethics, ethicist, and preacher. In June 2021, he became the director of the Public Theology Project at ''Christianity Today'', and on August 4, 2022, was announ ...

(born 1971), American theologian *

Russell Mulcahy Russell Mulcahy ( ; born 23 June 1953) is an Australian director of film, television, and music videos. He began his career directing music videos for artists like Elton John and Duran Duran, before making his feature directorial debut with the ...

(born 1953), Australian director * Russell M. Nelson (born 1924), American surgeon and religious leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints *

Russell Penn Russell may refer to: People * Russell (given name) * Russell (surname) * Lady Russell (disambiguation) * Lord Russell (disambiguation) ** Bertrand Russell * Justice Russell (disambiguation) Places * Russell Island (disambiguation) * Mount ...

(born 1985), English footballer *

Russell Peters Russell Dominic Peters (born 29 September 1970) is a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, and producer. He began performing in Toronto in 1989 and won a Gemini Award in 2008. In 2013, he was number three on ''Forbes'' Forbes Celebrity 100, list o ...

(born 1970), Canadian comedian and actor * Russell Peterson (1916–2011), American politician *

Russell Sage Russell Risley Sage (August 4, 1816 – July 22, 1906) was an American financier, railroad executive and Whig Party (United States), Whig politician from New York (state), New York, who became one of the List of richest Americans in history, rich ...

(1816–1906), American financier and politician *

Russell Simmons Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American entrepreneur, writer and record executive. He co-founded the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings, and created the clothing fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. He has p ...

(born 1957), American entrepreneur and music producer *

Russell Tovey Russell George Tovey (born 14 November 1981) is a British actor. He is best known for playing the role of werewolf George Sands in the BBC's supernatural comedy-drama '' Being Human'', Rudge in both the stage and film versions of '' The History ...

(born 1981), British actor *

Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook III (born November 12, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, Westbrook made his NBA debut in 2008 and became a star as a member o ...

(born 1988), American basketball player *

Russell Wilson Russell Carrington Wilson (born November 29, 1988) is an American professional American football, football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He has primarily played for the Seattle Seahawks. With the Sea ...

(born 1988), American football player * Russell Wong (born 1963), American actor * Russell Williams (disambiguation), several people

Fictional characters

* Russell Bell, in the television series ''The Wire'' * Russell (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), in ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' * Russell Edgington, in ''True Blood'' * Russell Ferguson, a hedgehog from the animated children's series ''

Littlest Pet Shop Littlest Pet Shop is a toy franchise and cartoon series owned by Hasbro and currently under license with Basic Fun!. The original toy series was produced by Kenner in the early 1990s. An animated television series was produced in 1995 by Sunbow ...

''. *Russell, a hedgehog from the animated film

Once Upon a Forest ''Once Upon a Forest'' is a 1993 animated adventure film produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox. Based on the ''Furlings'' characters created by Rae Lambert, the film was directed by Charles Grosvenor and p ...

*Russell Hammond, a main character in the film

Almost Famous ''Almost Famous'' is a 2000 American comedy drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe, starring Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It tells the story of a teenage journalist, played b ...

* Russell, in the television series ''Happy Tree Friends'' *Russell Wright, the title character from the Canadian animated series ''

King King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...

'' *Russell, one of the main characters from the 2009 Pixar movie Up *Russell the Muscly

Kangaroo Kangaroos are marsupials from the family Macropodidae (macropods, meaning "large foot"). In common use, the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, the red kangaroo, as well as the antilopine kangaroo, eastern gre ...

, from the Hooley Dooleys *Russell Lightbourne, the main antagonist of The 100's sixth season *Russell Adler, a character in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

References

{{given name English masculine given names Given names originating from a surname Masculine given names

People

Fictional characters

See also

References