Rusty
Rusty is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Red-haired, rust-colored, or reddish.
Origin and history
Rusty originated as an English nickname for someone with reddish hair or a rust-colored complexion, derived from the Old English word 'rust'. It eventually transitioned into an independent given name in the United States during the mid-20th century. Although its popularity peaked decades ago, it remains a familiar, informal traditional choice.
Popularity in the United States
17,802 babies in the United States have been named Rusty since 1880. It ranks #880 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1692.
States where it is most popular
- TX (13.9 %)
- CA (8.7 %)
- OH (6.7 %)
- LA (4.7 %)
- OK (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 8 |
| 1930-1940 | 41 |
| 1940-1950 | 458 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,956 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,242 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,647 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,768 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,472 |
| 2000-2010 | 598 |
| 2010-2019 | 377 |
| 2020-2029 | 235 |
Famous people named Rusty
- Rusty Staub: Baseball player, Philanthropist
- Rusty Wallace: Racecar driver, Broadcaster
- Rusty Joiner: Model, Actor
Fun facts
- Rusty originally started as a nickname for people with red hair or as a diminutive for names like Russell or Ruston.
- The name saw its peak usage in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s before declining into a less common option.