Russell is a surname and given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the elements rhos, meaning "hedgerow" or "promontory," and el, which means "light" or "shining." Therefore, Russell can be translated as "illuminated hedgerow" or "promontory of light."
The surname Russell was brought to England by the Normans who conquered Britain in the 11th century. The first recorded use of the name is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Russel. Over time, the name has evolved through various spellings such as Rusell, Rushall, and Rusholme.
The given name Russell began to be used independently from the surname during the 19th century. It gained popularity in English-speaking countries due to its strong and distinctive sound. Some notable people with the name Russell include American actors like Kurt Russell and Sean Russell, as well as British philosopher Bertrand Russell.
In literature, there are characters named Russell in works such as "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J.K. Rowling. This further contributed to the name's familiarity and popularity.
Today, Russell remains a popular choice for parents seeking a strong and distinctive name for their sons. Its Welsh origins and meanings add an element of uniqueness and historical significance to this classic name.
The name Russell has seen varied popularity over the decades in the United States, as indicated by the birth statistics provided.
In 1915, there were 5 babies named Russell. This number remained consistent a few years later in 1928, with another 7 births recorded for this name. The decade of the 1950s showed a slight increase and then decrease in popularity, with 5 births each in 1958 and 1962, followed by a spike to 7 births in 1963.
The late 1960s saw another peak for the name Russell, with 9 babies being named Russell in 1968. The popularity dipped again in the 1970s and early 1980s, with just 5 births in 1979 and 7 births each in 1980 and 1983.
Overall, from 1915 to 1983, there were a total of 62 babies named Russell in the United States. These statistics provide an interesting snapshot into the fluctuating popularity of this name over time.