Russo is a common Southern Italian and Sicilian surname. It is the Southern counterpart of Rossi and comes from a nickname indicating

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 ...

or beard, from ''russo'', ''russë'' and ''russu'', from

Late Latin Late Latin is the scholarly name for the form of Literary Latin of late antiquity.Roberts (1996), p. 537. English dictionary definitions of Late Latin date this period from the 3rd to 6th centuries CE, and continuing into the 7th century in ...

''russus'' or ''rubius'',

Classical Latin Classical Latin is the form of Literary Latin recognized as a Literary language, literary standard language, standard by writers of the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire. It formed parallel to Vulgar Latin around 75 BC out of Old Latin ...

''rubeus'', "red".

Geographical distribution

As of 2014, 61.5% of all known bearers of the surname ''Russo'' were residents of

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

(frequency 1:277), 18.6% of the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

(1:5,429), 5.1% of

Argentina Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...

(1:2,347), 4.6% of

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

(1:12,345), 1.1% of

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

(1:17,406) and 1.0% of

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

(1:6,667). In

, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:277) in the following regions: * 1.

Campania Campania is an administrative Regions of Italy, region of Italy located in Southern Italy; most of it is in the south-western portion of the Italian Peninsula (with the Tyrrhenian Sea to its west), but it also includes the small Phlegraean Islan ...

(1:72) * 2.

Sicily Sicily (Italian language, Italian and ), officially the Sicilian Region (), is an island in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian Peninsula in continental Europe and is one of the 20 regions of Italy, regions of Italy. With 4. ...

(1:123) * 3.

Calabria Calabria is a Regions of Italy, region in Southern Italy. It is a peninsula bordered by the region Basilicata to the north, the Ionian Sea to the east, the Strait of Messina to the southwest, which separates it from Sicily, and the Tyrrhenian S ...

(1:155) * 4.

Apulia Apulia ( ), also known by its Italian language, Italian name Puglia (), is a Regions of Italy, region of Italy, located in the Southern Italy, southern peninsular section of the country, bordering the Adriatic Sea to the east, the Strait of Ot ...

(1:205) * 5. Basilicata (1:213) In

, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:2,347) in the following provinces: * 1.

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− glob ...

(1:1,034) * 2.

Buenos Aires Province Buenos Aires, officially the Buenos Aires Province, is the largest and most populous Provinces of Argentina, Argentine province. It takes its name from the city of Buenos Aires, the capital of the country, which used to be part of the province an ...

(1:1,657) In the

, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:5,429) in the following states: * 1.

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

(1:1,360) * 2.

Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...

(1:1,384) * 3.

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

(1:1,433) * 4. New York (1:1,560) * 5.

Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...

(1:1,920) * 6.

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

(1:3,605) * 7.

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

(1:3,637) * 8.

New Hampshire New Hampshire ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...

(1:3,888) * 9.

Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...

(1:3,949) * 10.

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states, South Atlantic regions of the United States. It borders Maryland to its south and west, Pennsylvania to its north, New Jersey ...

(1:3,981) * 11.

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a landlocked state in the Western United States. It borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the seventh-most extensive, th ...

(1:4,507) * 12.

Maine Maine ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the Contiguous United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Provinces and ...

(1:4,594) In

, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:12,345) only in one state:Russo surname distribution
/ref> * 1.

São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...

(1:4,431)

Notable people named Russo

* Aaron Russo, libertarian entertainment businessman * Adam Russo (born 1983), Canadian/Italian professional ice hockey goaltender * Adriana Russo (born 1954), Italian actress and television personality * Adriano Russo (born 1987), Italian footballer who plays as a defender * Albert Russo (born 1943), Belgian bilingual (English and French) writer * Alecu Russo (1819-1859), Moldavian Romanian writer, literary critic and publicist * Alejandro Russo (born 1968), Argentine former professional footballer * Alessia Russo (born 1999), English footballer * Alexander Russo (writer), education writer * Alexander Russo (athlete), Brazilian track and field sprinter * Ana Bedran-Russo (née Ana Karina Bedran de Castro), an associate professor in restorative dentist * Andrew Russo (born 1975), American pianist * Andy Russo (born 1948), American college basketball coach * Angelo Russo (born 1961), Italian actor * Anna Russo, Italian writer * Anthony Russo, including: ** Anthony Russo (American football), American football quarterback ** Anthony Russo (director) (born 1970), Emmy Award-winning film and television director ** Anthony Russo (mobster) (1916–1979), Genovese crime family figure ** Anthony Russo (mayor), the 35th mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey ** Anthony Russo (whistleblower) (1936–2008), involved in the Pentagon Papers leak * Antonino Russo Giusti (1876-1957), Italian dramatist * Avraam Russo (né Abraham Ipjian in 1969), Syrian-born Russian pop singer of Armenian origin * Bartolomeo Russo (1866–1941), New Zealand fisherman, horticulturist and farmer * Basil Russo (born 1946), American attorney, politician of the Democratic Party, and judge * Bill Russo (1947–2021), American former football coach * Cailin Russo (born 1993), American model and musician * Carmen Russo (born 1959) Italian dancer, actress, television personality and singer * Catherine Allison Russo (born 1976), American healthcare consultant and politician * Carine Russo (née Collet; born 1962), Belgian politician, member of Ecolo, and author * Charles-Édouard Russo (born 1980), French professional golfer * Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo, American sports radio host * Cristian Cuffaro Russo (born 1988), Argentine footballer * Cindy Russo (born 1952), American women's basketball head coach * Claudia Russo (born 1983), Italian candidate for Miss World 2008 * Clement Russo (born 1995), French road and cyclo-cross cyclist * Clemente Russo (born 1982), Italian Boxer
Dana Russo (Ryan)
(born 1974), Communications Executive * Daniel Russo (born 1948), French film actor, comedian and director * Danilo Russo (born 1987), Italian footballer * Danny Russo (1885-1944), American violinist and big band leader * Darko Russo (born 1962), Serbian professional basketball coach * David C. Russo (born 1953), American Republican Party politician * Deanna Russo (born 1979), American actress * Eddie Russo (1925-2012), American racecar driver * Elena Russo (born 1972), Italian actress of cinema, television and theatre * Erminia Russo (born 1964), Canadian volleyball player * Evandro Russo Ramos (born 1985), Brazilian footballer * Federico Russo (born 1997), Italian actor * Felice Angelo "Felix" Russo (1926–2005), Australian rules footballer * Ferdinando Russo (1866–1927), Italian journalist and dialect poet from Naples * Francesco Russo (footballer) (born 1981), Italian footballer * Francesco Russo (actor) (born 1993), Italian actor * Francois Russo (born 1966), the creative director and founder of Maison Takuya * Frederick Dello Russo, American politician and funeral director * George Russo (born 1980), English actor * Giacomo Russo (1937-1967), Italian racing driver * Giada Russo (born 1997), Italian figure skater * Gianni Russo (born 1943), American actor and singer * Giovanni Russo (or Dovani Roso; born 1972), Croatian-born Israeli former footballer * Giuni Russo (1951–2004), Italian singer-songwriter *

Giuseppe Genco Russo Giuseppe Genco Russo (26 January 1893 – 18 March 1976) was a Sicilian Mafia boss from Mussomeli in the province of Caltanissetta, Sicily. Genco Russo, also known as "Zi Peppi Jencu", was an uncouth, sly, semi-literate thug with excellent politi ...

(1893-1976), Italian mafioso * Giuseppe Russo (born 1983), Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder * Gus Russo, American author and researcher of the assassination of John F. Kennedy * James Russo (born 1953), American film and television actor * Jamie Russo (born 1981), Australian former professional rugby league footballer * Jason Russo * Jeff Russo (born 1969), American composer and music producer * Jonathan Judge-Russo (born 1983), American actor and producer * Joe Russo, including: ** Joe Russo (director) (born 1971), an Emmy Award-winning film and television director ** Joe Russo (racing driver) (1901–1934), an American auto racer active in the 1930s ** Joe Russo (musician) (b. 1976), a jazz/rock and roll drummer * John Russo, including: ** John F. Russo (1933–2017), politician from New Jersey ** John A. Russo (born 1939), American screenwriter and film director ** John Russo (baseball) (born 1973), baseball coach * José Luis Russo (born 1958), Uruguayan former footballer * Julee Russo (also known as Julee Rosso), American cook and food writer * Justin Russo (born 1976), American musician * Kevin Russo (born 1984), American former professional baseball player * Kristin Russo (born 1980), American speaker, personality, and LGBTQ activist * Laura Garcia Moreno Russo (1915-2001), Brazilian librarian * Luciano Russo, Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who works in the diplomatic service of the Holy See * Lucio F. Russo, American politician * Lucio Russo, Italian historian of science * Lucio F. Russo (1912–2004), American lawyer and politician * Luigi Fontana Russo (1868-1953),Italian economist and lecturer * Marcella Russo, Australian actress * Marcelo Fabián Méndez Russo (born 1981), Uruguayan former footballer * Marcelo Russo Guerreiro Correia (born 1993), Portuguese footballer * Margaret Russo (1931–2006), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player * Mariné Russo (born 1980), Argentine former field hockey player * Marcella Russo, Australian actress * Marco Russo (born 1982), Italian footballer * Marisabina Russo (née Stark), a children's book author and illustrator * Marius Russo (1915-2005), American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball * Martin A. Russo (born 1944), a U.S. Democratic politician and lobbyist * Martin P. Russo (born 1968), American trial lawyer * Mario Russo (born 1967), Argentine politician * Matías Russo (born 1985), Argentine racing driver * Meredith Russo (born ca 1986/1987), American young adult and middle grade fiction author * Melissa Russo (born 1968), American television journalist * Michael Dello-Russo (born 1956), Argentine former football player and manager * Michael Russo (disambiguation), several people * Michele Russo (born 1986), Italian footballer in the role of defender * Michele Russo (bishop) (1945–2019), Italian Roman Catholic bishop of Doba, Chad * Miguel Ángel Russo (born 1956), Argentine former football player and manager * Monette Russo (born 1988), Australian former artistic gymnast * Nadia Russo-Bossie (1901–1988), a pioneering Romanian aviator * Nancy Russo (born 1943), American psychologist * Nat Russo (born 1970), American fantasy fiction author * Neal Russo (1920–1996), American sportswriter * Nello Russo (born 1981), Italian former footballer * Nicola Russo (born 1990), Italian football midfielder * Nicholas Russo (1845–1902), Italian priest, philosopher, Boston College president, and church founder * Orazio Russo (born 1973), Italian former professional football (soccer) player * Pasquale Russo (born 1947), Italian Camorrista and boss * Pat Russo (born 1941), American model * Patricia Russo (born 1952), American businessperson * Patti Russo (born 1966), American singer, songwriter and actress * Paul Russo (1914-1976), American racecar driver * Paul A. Russo (born 1943), American diplomat * Peter Russo (born 1959), Australian former rules footballer * Peter Russo (politician) (born 1955), Australian politician * Pietro Russo (fl. 1507), Sicilian mapmaker *

Philippe Russo Philippe Russo is a French singer-songwriter (born on 4 October 1961, Paris). He had a hit between 1986 and early 1987 in France with his single "Magie noire", devoted to the discothèques, which peaked at #10 on the SNEP SNEP (, in English ...

(born 1961), French singer-songwriter * Pietro Paolo Russo (1611–1657), Roman Catholic bishop of Nusco * Raffaele Russo (born 1999), Italian football player * Rebecca Russo (born 1992), American-born women's ice hockey player * Renato Russo (1960-1996), Brazilian singer and songwriter * Rene Russo (born 1954), American actress, producer and model * Riccardo Russo (born 1992), Italian motorcycle racer * Richard Russo (born 1954), American novelist * Richard Paul Russo, American science fiction writer * Robbie Russo (born 1993), American ice hockey defenceman
Robert Russo
(born 1976), CEO and Founder of Independent Advisor Alliance * Roberto Russo (musician) (born 1966), Italian pianist and composer * Rosa Russo Iervolino, Italian politician and former Mayor of Naples * Russ Russo (born 1975), American film actor * Ry Russo-Young (born 1981), American filmmaker * Salvatore Russo (born 1958), Italian Camorrista and boss of the Russo clan * Salvatore Russo (footballer) (born 1971), Italian former footballer * Sarina Russo (born 1951), Italian entrepreneur * Sean Russo (born 1991), Australian swimmer * Santo J. "Sonny" Russo (1929–2013), American jazz trombonist * Stefano Russo (footballer, born 1989), Italian footballer * Stefano Russo (footballer, born 2000), German-Italian footballer * Tal Russo, Israeli general * Thomas "Thom" Russo, American record producer, engineer, mixer and songwriter * Tommaso Russo (born 1971), Italian boxer * Vanessa Rousso (also known as Vanessa Ashley Rousso; born 1983), American professional poker player * Vince Russo, American author, podcaster, professional wrestling writer and pundit * Vincenza Carrieri-Russo (born 1984), American model, actress, entrepreneur and beauty pageant titleholder * Vito Russo (1946-1990), American LGBT activist, film historian and author * Vittorio Russo (born 1939), Italian football manager and former player * William Russo (musician) (1928-2003), American composer, arranger, and musician

Fictional characters

* Alex Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards of Waverly Place'' * Billy Russo, Marvel comic villain * Blossom Russo, one of the main characters on the TV series '' Blossom'' * Coach Russo, a character from the series ''

The Amazing World of Gumball ''The Amazing World of Gumball'' (also known simply as ''Gumball'' or by its abbreviation ''TAWOG''; retitled ''The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball'' beginning with its The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball, seventh season) is an animated si ...

'' * Dominic Russo, one of the main characters on the TV series '' Chasing Life'' * Giada Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'' * Jamie Russo, a character from the series ''

'' * Jerry Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards of Waverly Place'' * Justin Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards of Waverly Place'' and '' Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'' *Ladd Russo, one of the main characters in the anime series ''Baccano!'' * Max Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards of Waverly Place'' * Milo Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'' * Peter Russo, a character on the TV series '' House of Cards'' * Roman Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'' * Theresa Russo, one of the main characters in the TV Series '' Wizards of Waverly Place'' * Tina Russo, one of the main characters in the TV series '' The Looney Tunes Show''

References

Italian-language surnames Surnames from nicknames {{Red-surname

Geographical distribution

Notable people named Russo

Fictional characters

See also

References