Russel
Russel is a English, from Old French boy name meaning “Little red one”.
| Meaning | Little red one |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | English, from Old French |
| Pronunciation | RUS-ul |
| Muslim name? | Not a traditional Muslim name |
Meaning and origin of Russel
Russel, much more often spelled Russell, comes from the Old French rousel, a diminutive of rous, 'red'. It began as a nickname meaning 'little red one', given to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion, and it passed into English as a surname after the Norman Conquest. Like many English surnames, it was later adopted as a first name. Its meaning is therefore simply descriptive, with no religious content.
Russell is well known in Britain, Ireland, North America and Australia, and the single-'l' spelling Russel is a less common variant. Some online name lists describe it as Arabic, but there is no Arabic root behind it, and the name sounds unrelated to any Arabic word. It is occasionally chosen in Bangladesh and elsewhere in South Asia as a modern-sounding name. Pronunciation is RUS-ul, with the stress on the first syllable. Muslim parents who like its sound but want an Arabic meaning sometimes choose Rashid ('rightly guided'), Raed ('pioneer'), Rayan or Rushdi instead.
Famous people named Russel
- Russell Crowe — New Zealand-born actor (Russell spelling)
- Russell Wilson — American football quarterback (Russell spelling)
Is Russel a Muslim name?
Russel is not a traditional Muslim name. It is an English name of French origin. Muslim parents who like its sound might consider Rashid, Raed, Rayan or Rushdi.
Where is the name Russel used?
Used in English-speaking countries; occasionally in Bangladesh and South Asia as a modern name.
Gifts with the name Russel
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Spellings and variants of Russel
Muslim names similar to Russel
If you like the sound of Russel but want a name with an Islamic meaning, consider:
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More boy names like Russel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Russel mean?
Russel means 'Little red one'. It comes from English, from Old French.
Is Russel a Muslim name?
Russel is not a traditional Muslim name. It is an English name of French origin. Muslim parents who like its sound might consider Rashid, Raed, Rayan or Rushdi.
How do you pronounce Russel?
Russel is pronounced RUS-ul.
Is Russel an Arabic name?
No. Russel comes from Old French via English; it has no Arabic root despite appearing in some Arabic name lists.
What does Russel mean?
It means 'little red one', from an Old French nickname for someone with red hair.
What is a Muslim name similar to Russel?
Names with a similar sound and an Arabic meaning include Rashid, Raed, Rayan and Rushdi.