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Rufus
red
Ῥοῦφος Rhouphos
Rufus (Greek: Ῥοῦφος, Rhouphos) means “red”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Gospels period. In 2025 it was given to 27 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Around 36,225 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Alexander in Mark 15.
Which Rufus?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Rufus
son of Simon
-
Rufus
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 2 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 27 | Falling |
| All-time total | 36,225 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 746 in 1922 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Mark 15:21 |
| Last appears | Romans 16:13 |
| Cross-references | 30 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Alexander co-occurrence Appears with Alexander in Mark 15.
- Simon co-occurrence Appears with Simon in Mark 15.
- Andronicus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Andronicus.
- Apelles co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Apelles.
- Aristobulus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Aristobulus.
- Epaenetus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Epaenetus.
- Asyncritus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Asyncritus.
- Hermas co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Hermas.
Origin & meaning
Ῥοῦφος, -ου, ὁ
(Lat.), Rufus: Mrk.15:21, Rom.16:13.†
(AS)
Rufus was the son of Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus' cross on the way to His crucifixion.
The biblical story
Rufus is mentioned in Mrk.15.21 as the son of Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to His crucifixion. Simon was from Cyrene, a city in present-day Libya, and he was visiting Jerusalem, likely for the Passover festival. The fact that Mark specifically names Rufus and his brother Alexander suggests that they were known to the early Christian community and may have become followers of Jesus. In Rom.16.13, Paul sends greetings to a man named Rufus, whom he describes as "chosen in the Lord," and to his mother, who had also been a mother figure to Paul. While it is not certain, some scholars believe that this Rufus could be the same person mentioned in Mark's Gospel, as the sons of Simon of Cyrene. If this is the case, it would indicate that Rufus not only witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus but also became a prominent member of the early church. However, due to the commonness of the name Rufus, this connection remains speculative.
Key verses
Rufus appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Mark 15:21
Show all 1 reference
Mark (1)
- Mark 15:21