Ruffin is a unique and distinctive given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Germanic elements "hruod" meaning fame or glory, and "wini" which means friend or follower. Therefore, Ruffin translates to "famous friend" or "glorious companion".
The name Ruffin has a rich history that dates back to medieval France. It was borne by several notable individuals throughout the centuries, including Ruffin Le Picart, a French dramatist and poet of the 17th century, and Ruffin Thompson, an American athlete who played in the NFL during the early 20th century.
Despite its historic roots, Ruffin remains a rare name today. According to data from the Social Security Administration, only a handful of babies have been named Ruffin each year since records began in 1879. This rarity contributes to its unique and appealing quality.
In terms of popularity, Ruffin has never ranked among the top 1000 names for boys in the United States. However, this lack of widespread use may be part of its charm for some parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
Overall, Ruffin is an attractive and uncommon given name with a strong historical background and a meaningful meaning that makes it a standout choice for parents seeking something different for their baby boy.
The given statistics show the fluctuations in the number of babies named Ruffin born annually in the United States from 1886 to 2013.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were relatively few births with the name Ruffin. The highest annual figure during this period was 19 births in 1916. However, the numbers remained quite low throughout these years, typically ranging between 5 to 14 births per year.
The most notable peak in popularity for the name Ruffin occurred between 1920 and 1931, with a consistent increase in annual births reaching as high as 17 births in 1928. This period saw a significant growth in the number of babies named Ruffin compared to previous decades.
However, this trend did not continue, and there was a subsequent decline in popularity during the late 1930s and early 1940s, with annual birth figures dropping to single digits once again.
The middle of the 20th century saw another slight increase in Ruffin births, particularly between 1952 and 1966. However, this period was still considerably less popular than the previous peak from 1920 to 1931.
In recent years, from 2006 onwards, there has been a renewed interest in the name Ruffin, with annual births consistently ranging between 5 to 7 per year.
Overall, looking at the statistics from 1886 to 2013, we can see that while there have been periods of varying popularity for the name Ruffin, it remains relatively uncommon overall. With a total of 555 births over this period, Ruffin is certainly not one of the most popular baby names in the United States. However, its use has shown some enduring appeal, particularly during certain decades and more recently.