Rufus is a masculine given name, a surname, an Ancient Roman

cognomen A ''cognomen'' (; : ''cognomina''; from ''co-'' "together with" and ''(g)nomen'' "name") was the third name of a citizen of ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. Initially, it was a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became hereditar ...

and a nickname (from

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

rufus Rufus is a masculine given name, a surname, an Ancient Roman cognomen and a nickname (from Latin ''wikt:rufus, rufus'', "red"). Notable people with the name include: Given name Politicians * Marcus Caelius Rufus, (28 May 82 BC – after 48 ...

'', "red"). Notable people with the name include:

Given name

Politicians

Marcus Caelius Rufus Marcus Caelius Rufus (died 48 BC) was an orator and politician in the late Roman Republic. He was born into a wealthy equestrian family from Interamnia Praetuttiorum, on the central east coast of Italy. He is best known for his prosecut ...

, (28 May 82 BC – after 48 BC),

orator An orator, or oratist, is a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled. Etymology Recorded in English c. 1374, with a meaning of "one who pleads or argues for a cause", from Anglo-French ''oratour'', Old French ''orateur'' (14 ...

and

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

in the late

Roman Republic The Roman Republic ( ) was the era of Ancient Rome, classical Roman civilisation beginning with Overthrow of the Roman monarchy, the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom (traditionally dated to 509 BC) and ending in 27 BC with the establis ...

* Rufus Ada George (born 1940), Nigerian politician * Rufus Aladesanmi III (born 1945), Yoruban king * Rufus Applegarth (1844–1921), American lawyer and politician * Rufus A. Ayers (1849–1926), American lawyer, businessman, and politician *

Rufus Barringer Rufus Clay Barringer (December 2, 1821 – February 3, 1895) was an American lawyer, politician, and Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War. Early life Barringer was born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, the ninth of ...

(1821–1895), American lawyer, politician, and military general * Rufus Blodgett (1834–1910), American politician and railroad superintendent *

Rufus Bousquet Rufus George Bousquet (born 28 November 1958) is a Saint Lucian politician who formerly represented the constituency of Choiseul for the United Workers Party. Bousquet last won the seat at the general election held on 11 December 2006 but lost it ...

(born 1958), Saint Lucian politician * Rufus E. Brown (1854–1920), Vermont attorney, farmer, and politician *

Rufus Bullock Rufus Brown Bullock (March 28, 1834 – April 27, 1907) was an American politician and businessman from Georgia. A Republican, he served as the state's governor during the Reconstruction Era. He called for equal economic opportunity and political ...

(1834–1907), American politician * Rufus Carter (1866–1932), Canadian farmer and political figure * Rufus Cheney Jr., member of the Wisconsin State Assembly during the 1850 session * Rufus W. Cobb (1829–1913), American politician *

Rufus Curry Rufus Curry (31 August 1859 – 18 August 1934) was a manufacturer and painter in Nova Scotia. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1903, but declined the appointment and never actually took his seat. Notwithstanding this, he is of ...

(1859–1934), Canadian manufacturer and politician *

Rufus Davis Rufus Davis (born March 6, 1964) is an American social and political activist, business executive and former Mayor of Camilla, Georgia. He was elected as the first African American male to hold the position in November 2015. Davis is a political ...

(born 1964), mayor of Camilla, Georgia * Rufus B. Dodge Jr. (1861–1935), American lawyer and politician * Rufus A. Doughton (1857–1946), American politician *

Rufus Easton Rufus Easton (May 4, 1774 – July 5, 1834) was an American attorney, politician, and postmaster. He served as a non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the Missouri Territory prior to statehood. After statehood he ...

(1774–1834), American lawyer and politician *

Rufus Edmisten Rufus Lige Edmisten (born July 12, 1941) is an American attorney who served as North Carolina Secretary of State, Attorney General, and was the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1984. He is currently a lawyer in private practice. Life and car ...

(born 1941), American politician and lawyer *

Rufus Elefante Rufus Pasquale "Rufie" Elefante (April 11, 1903 – November 15, 1994) was an American political boss from Utica, New York. Originally a Republican, who worked as a trucker, Elefante rose to power during the late 1920s. Though he never held pu ...

(1903–1994), American politician from Utica, New York *

Rufus Nelson England Rufus Nelson England (May 4, 1851 – November 28, 1911) was a merchant and political figure in Quebec. He represented Brome in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec from 1889 to 1897 as a Conservative. He was born in Knowlton, Canada East, ...

(1851–1911), Canadian merchant and political figure * Rufus S. Frost (1826–1894), American politician *

Rufus King Garland Jr. Rufus King Garland Jr. (May 22, 1830 – December 12, 1886) was a farmer, lawyer, and politician in Arkansas. He represented Hempstead County, Arkansas in the Arkansas House of Representatives before the American Civil War. He represented H ...

(1830–1886), American politician * Rufus K. Goodenow (1790–1863), American politician *

Rufus Hardy (representative) Rufus Hardy (December 16, 1855 – March 13, 1943) was a United States representative of the Democratic Party from the state of Texas. Early years Hardy was born Monroe County, Mississippi, to George Washington and Pauline J. (Whittaker) Hard ...

(1855–1943), American politician *

Rufus Erastus Hart Rufus Erastus Hart (September 10, 1812 – December 24, 1891) was an American politician and lawyer. Hart, the son of Joseph and Anna (Hotchkiss) Hart, was born in Middlebury, Ohio, on September 10, 1812. He graduated from Yale College in 183 ...

(1812–1891), American politician and lawyer * Rufus Henderson (1779–1847), Canadian physician, merchant and political figure *

Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading Rufus Daniel Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading (10 October 1860 – 30 December 1935), known as the Earl of Reading from 1917 to 1926, was a British Liberal politician and judge, who served as Lord Chief Justice of England, Viceroy of India, and S ...

(1860–1935), English politician and jurist *

Rufus King Rufus King (March 24, 1755April 29, 1827) was an American Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father, lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convent ...

(1755–1827), pre-Civil War US politician *

Rufus H. King Rufus H. King (January 20, 1820 – September 13, 1890) was a United States House of Representatives, U.S. Representative from New York (state), New York. Biography Born in Rensselaerville, New York, King completed preparatory studies and was g ...

(1820–1890), American politician *

Rufus E. Lester Rufus Ezekiel Lester (December 12, 1837 – June 16, 1906) was a U.S. Representative from Georgia. Born near Waynesboro, Georgia, Lester graduated from Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, in 1857. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in Sa ...

(1837–1906), American politician *

Rufus Anderson Lyman Rufus Anderson Lyman (June 23, 1842 – July 4, 1910) was a son of a missionary who became a lawyer and politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii, founded the Paauhau Sugar Plantation Company, and had many notable descendants. Life He was born on Jun ...

(1842–1910), lawyer and politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii *

Rufus Mallory Rufus Mallory (January or June 10, 1831 – April 30, 1914) was an American educator, lawyer, and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of New York, he was a teacher in Iowa before moving to Oregon where he became an attorney. He was a dis ...

(1831–1914), American educator, lawyer, and politician * Rufus P. Manson (1830–1897), American politician * Rufus McIntire (1784–1866), American lawyer, military officer, congressman, and land surveyor *

Rufus Wheeler Peckham (1809–1873) Rufus Wheeler Peckham (December 20, 1809 – November 22, 1873) was an American jurist and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives for New York's 14th congressional district from 1853 to 1855. Aside from his time in ...

, American judge and congressman *

Rufus W. Peckham Rufus W. Peckham (November 8, 1838 – October 24, 1909) was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1896 to 1909, and is the most recent Democratic nominee approved by a Republican-majorit ...

(1838–1909), American jurist *

Rufus Ferrand Pelletier Rufus Ferrand Pelletier (29 March 1824, in Carteret County, North Carolina – ?), was an early resident and principal founder of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Rufus was a grandson of the powerful Carteret County landowner and Revolutionary War ...

(1824–?), American postmaster and politician *

Rufus Pettibone Rufus Pettibone (May 26, 1784 – July 31, 1825) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri from 1823 to 1825, appointed from St. Louis County. Early life, education, and career Born in Litchfield County, Connecticut to Giles and Margaret Ho ...

(1784–1825), justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri *

Rufus Phillips Rufus Colfax Phillips III (August 10, 1929 – December 29, 2021) was an American writer, businessman, politician, and Central Intelligence Agency and United States Agency for International Development employee. Life Phillips was born in Middle ...

(1929–2021), American intelligence officer *

Rufus Henry Pope Rufus Henry Pope (September 13, 1857 – May 16, 1944) was a Canadian politician. Born in Cookshire, Canada East, the son of John Henry Pope, Pope was educated at the Cookshire Academy, Sherbrooke High School and McGill College Law School. He ...

(1857–1944), Canadian politician * Rufus K. Polk (1866–1902), American politician *

Rufus Pollock Rufus Pollock (born 1980) is a British economist, activist and social entrepreneur. He has been a leading figure in the global open knowledge and open data movements, starting with his founding in 2004 of the non-profit Open Knowledge Foundatio ...

(born 1980), English economist * Rufus P. Ranney (1813–1891), American politician *

Rufus Rodriguez Rufus Bautista Rodriguez (born September 13, 1953) is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He is the president of the Centrist Democratic Party and has been a member of the House of Representatives representing the Cagayan de Oro's 2nd district ...

(born 1953), Filipino politician *

Rufus Smith Rufus Smith (Doctor of Medicine, MD) (November 19, 1766 – November 15, 1844) was a physician and politician in the British Empire, British colonial New Brunswick, Province of New Brunswick, Canada. Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Stamford in t ...

(1766–1844), Canadian physician and politician * Rufus P. Spalding (1798–1886), American politician, lawyer and judge *

Rufus P. Tapley Rufus P. Tapley (January 2, 1823 – April 10, 1893),Rufus (biblical figure) Rufus ("Red") was a first-century Christian mentioned in with his brother Alexander, whose father " Simon a Cyrenian" was compelled to help carry the cross on which Jesus Christ Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, ...

, a first-century Christian mentioned in Mark 15:21 *

Rufus Anderson Rufus Anderson (August 17, 1796 – May 23, 1880) was an American minister who spent several decades organizing overseas missions. Personal life Rufus Anderson was born in North Yarmouth, Maine, in 1796. His father, also named Rufus Anderson, ...

(1796–1880), American minister * Rufus Babcock (1798–1895), American clergyman and academic *

Rufus Brome Rufus Theophilus Brome was the 12th Bishop of Barbados. Biography Born the son of Leon Brome (1893–1958) and his wife Constance Griffith (1898–1985) in 1935 and educated at Codrington College, he was ordained Deacon in 1961 and Priest ...

(born 1935), Bishop of Barbados *

Rufus Hollis Gause Rufus Hollis Gause, Jr. (July 1, 1925 – September 6, 2015), known as R. Hollis Gause, was an American Pentecostal theologian and pastor. He was affiliated with the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). Gause was the first dean of the Pentecost ...

(1925–2015), American theologian *

Rufus Halley Rufus Halley (1944 - 28 August 2001) was a Roman Catholic priest of the Missionary Society of St. Columban who spent more than 20 years promoting ecumenical dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Asia. A native of County Waterford, Killoteran ...

(c. 1944–2001), Roman Catholic missionary in the Philippines *

Rufus K. Hardy Rufus Kay Hardy (May 28, 1878 – March 7, 1945) was an American Mormon missionary, missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand and was a general authority of the LDS Church from 1935 until his death. Hardy was b ...

(1878–1945), leader and missionary in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints * Rufus Phineas Stebbins (1810–1885), American clergyman

Sportsmen

* Rufus Alexander (born 1983), American football player *

Rufus Bess Rufus T. Bess Jr. (born September 13, 1956) is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at South Carolina ...

(born 1956), American football player *

Rufus Brevett Rufus Brevett (born 24 September 1969) is an English football manager and former professional player. As a player, he was a defender who notably played in the Premier League for Queens Park Rangers, Fulham and West Ham United. He was part of ...

(born 1969), English football player *

Rufus Brown Rufus Brown (born July 18, 1980) is a professional American football wide receiver/defensive back for the Arizona Rattlers Rufus Crawford Rufus Crawford (born May 21, 1955) is an American actor and former football player who was a running back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1979 through 1985. He broke the Canadian Football League (CFL) yardage record which had stood for 28 years ...

(born 1955), Canadian Football League player *

Rufus Deal Rufus Copeland Deal (December 7, 1917 – March 14, 2005) was an American professional football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the former Washington Redskins (now the Washington Commanders). He played college football at ...

(1917–2005), American football player *

Rufus French Joel Rufus French (born March 15, 1978) is an American former college football player who was a tight end for the Ole Miss Rebels. He was a two-time All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1998. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks an ...

(born 1978), American football player *

Rufus Gilbert Rufus W. Gilbert (December 8, 1884 – 1962) was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Kalamazoo College (1905, 1907–1908), Bradley Polytechnic Institute—now known as Bradle ...

(1885–1962), American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach * Rufus Granderson (1936–2015), American football player * Rufus Guthrie (1942–2000), American football player *

Rufus Mayes Rufus Lee Mayes (December 5, 1947 – January 9, 1990) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Early life Mayes grew up in ...

(1947–1990), American football player *

Rufus Meadows Rufus Rivers Meadows (August 25, 1907 – May 10, 1970) was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds in 1926. He appeared in just one game, an 18-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Meadows faced the Cubs' final batter of th ...

(1907–1970), American baseball player * Rufus B. Nalley (1870–1902), football, baseball, and track and field player * Rufus Porter (American football) (born 1965), American football player *

Rufus Sisson Rufus Sisson (September 11, 1890 – March 1977) was an All-American basketball player at Dartmouth College in 1911–12. He led the Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League in scoring at 12.8 points per game in 10 games played. He was ...

(1890–1977), American basketball player *

Rufus Skillern Rufus Skillern (born May 12, 1982) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football for the San Jose State Spartans. Skillern also pla ...

(born 1982), Canadian football player *

Rufus Smith (baseball) Rufus Frazier "Shirt" Smith (January 24, 1905 – August 21, 1984) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in one game for the Detroit Tigers on October 2, . Smith played college baseball at Guilford College where he formed a battery with ...

(1905–1984), American baseball player

Performers

Rufus Beck Rufus Beck (born 23 July 1957) is a German theater, film, and voice actor. Besides his work on stage, on film, and on television, Beck is also a well known reader of audiobooks, having worked as the narrator of the German translations of the H ...

(born 1957), German theater, film, and voice actor *

Rufus Cappadocia Rufus Cappadocia is a Canadian-American cellist best known for his cross-cultural recordings and performances. He has released albums in collaboration with guitarist David Fiuczynski, singer Bethany Yarrow, Stellamara with Sonja Drakulich, mult ...

, Canadian-American cellist * Rufus Carl Gordon, Jr. (1932-2010), commonly known as Carl Gordon, American actor * Rufus Harley (1936–2006), American jazz musician *

Rufus Hound Rufus Hound (born Robert James Blair Simpson 6 March 1979) is an English actor, comedian and presenter. Early life Hound was born on 6 March 1979 in Essex and moved to Surrey at the age of 7. He was educated at Hoe Bridge School Woking, Fre ...

(born 1979), British comedian * Rufus Arthur Johnson (born 1976), better known as Bizarre, American rapper *

Rufus Jones (actor) Rufus Jones (born 1975) is an English actor known for his appearances on television which include David Wilkes in '' W1A'', Dr. Foggerty in ''Hunderby'', Tom in ''Camping'', and Peter in ''Home'' (which he also wrote). Early life Jones was born ...

(born 1975), English actor, comedian and writer *

Rufus "Speedy" Jones Rufus "Speedy" Jones (May 27, 1936 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz drummer from Charleston, South Carolina. Starting out on trumpet, Jones switched to drums at the age of 13. He worked with Lionel Hampton in 1954 before being drafted. ...

(1936–1990), American jazz drummer *

Rufus Payne Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne (February 4, 1883 – March 17, 1939) was an early-20th-century African-American blues musician from Greenville, Alabama, who was more widely known by his nickname Tee Tot. Payne's nickname of "Tee Tot" is an ironic pun f ...

(1883–1939), American blues musician known as Tee Tot *

Rufus Reid Rufus Reid (born February 10, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American jazz bassist, educator, and composer. Biography Reid was raised in Sacramento, California, where he played the trumpet through junior high and high school. Upon graduation ...

(born 1944), American jazz bassist, educator, and composer *

Rufus Sewell Rufus Frederik Sewell (; born 29 October 1967) is a British actor. In film, he has appeared in ''Carrington (film), Carrington'' (1995), ''Hamlet (1996 film), Hamlet'' (1996), ''Dangerous Beauty'' (1998), ''Dark City (1998 film), Dark City'' (1 ...

(born 1967), British actor *

Rufus C. Somerby Rufus C. Somerby (1832–1903) was an American entertainer, showman, and Moving panorama, panoramist in the mid-nineteenth century, and one of a very few men of his profession to leave behind any memoirs or account of his activities. He is chiefl ...

(1832–1903), American entertainer, showman, and panoramist * Rufus Tiger Taylor (born 1991), English musician *

Rufus Thibodeaux Rufus Thibodeaux (January 5, 1934, Ridge, Louisiana – August 12, 2005, Nashville, Tennessee) was an American Cajun music fiddler. Thibodeaux played guitar from age six and fiddle from age twelve. He played in local dance halls at 13, and joine ...

(1934–2005), American Cajun fiddler *

Rufus Thomas Rufus C. Thomas, Jr. (March 26, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was an American rhythm-and-blues, funk, soul and blues singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ and comic entertainer from Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded for several labels, including Chess Re ...

(1917–2001), American singer * Rufus P. Turner (1907–1982), American electronics author *

Rufus Wainwright Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (born July 22, 1973) is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded eleven studio albums and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical opera ...

(born 1973), Canadian-American singer-songwriter * Rufus Waller, better known as Scola, a member of

Dru Hill Dru Hill is an American R&B boy band, whose repertoire included soul, hip hop soul and gospel music. The group was founded in Baltimore in 1992 by Tamir "Nokio the N-Tity" Ruffin, and as of 2023, is still active. Dru Hill recorded seven top 40 ...

, American singer and musician

Others

Rufus Travis Amis Rufus Amis (February 13, 1912 – January 12, 2007) was an American entrepreneur who served as co-founder and CEO of Aero Design and Engineering Company. The company built one of the first twin engine planes for private use in the US, the Aero ...

(1912–2007), American entrepreneur * Rufus William Bailey (1793–1863), American academic *

Rufus Black Rufus Edward Ries Black (born 20 May 1969) is 20th the vice-chancellor of the University of Tasmania. Early life and education Black was educated at Wesley College and the University of Melbourne, where he resided at Ormond College and gradua ...

(born 1969), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania *

Rufus Bowen Robert Edward "Rufus" Bowen (February 23, 1947 – July 30, 1978) was an American internationally known professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, who specialized in dynamical systems theory. Bowen's wo ...

(1947–1978), American professor of mathematics * Rufus S. Bratton (1892–1958), American intelligence officer *

Rufus Columbus Burleson Rufus Columbus Burleson (August 7, 1823 – May 14, 1901) was the president of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, from 1851 to 1861 and again from 1886 to 1897. Biography Burleson was born near Decatur in northern Alabama. His family was of Welsh ...

(1823–1901), American academic *

Rufus T. Bush Rufus Ter Bush (February 22, 1840 – September 15, 1890) was an American businessman, industrialist, and yachtsman. His notable testimony against Standard Oil's monopolistic practices through railroad rebates left a lasting impression, while th ...

(1840–1890), American businessman, oil refining industrialist, and yachtsman *

Rufus Choate Rufus Choate () (October 1, 1799July 13, 1859) was an American lawyer, orator, and Senator who represented Massachusetts as a member of the Whig Party. He is regarded as one of the greatest American lawyers of the 19th century, arguing over a ...

(1799–1859), American lawyer and orator *

Rufus Early Clement Rufus Early Clement (June 26, 1900 – November 7, 1967) was an American academic administrator and university president. He served as the sixth and longest-serving president of the historically black Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta Universi ...

(1900–1967), American academic *

Rufus Cole Rufus Cole (April 30, 1872 – April 20, 1966) was an American medical doctor and the first director of the Rockefeller University Hospital. Under his leadership significant advances in treatment of bacterial pneumonia and later against tuberculos ...

(1872–1966), American medical doctor * Rufus Cowles Crampton (1828–1888), American educator *

Rufus Dawes Rufus R. Dawes (July 4, 1838August 1, 1899) was a military officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He used the middle initial "R" but had no middle name. He was noted for his service in the famed Iron Brigade, particularly dur ...

(1838–1899), American military officer * Rufus C. Dawes (1867–1940), American businessman * Rufus Dayglo, English comics artist * Rufus of Ephesus, 1st-century Greco-Roman physician and anatomist * Rufus Estes (b. 1857 - d.1939), an American chef aboard luxury railway Pullman Company * J. Rufus Fears (1945–2012), American historian, scholar, teacher and author * Rufus Fitzgerald (1890–1966), American academic at the University of Pittsburgh * Rufus Flint (c. 1865 – c. 1895), American Nicaraguan professor of English and mathematics * Rufus Edward Foster (1871–1942), American jurist * Rufus Franklin (1916–1975), American criminal * Rufus Henry Gilbert (1832–1885), American surgeon and inventor * Rufus Wilmot Griswold (1815–1857), American anthologist, editor, poet, and critic * Rufus Hannah (1954–2017), aka "Rufus the Stunt Bum", of ''Bumfights'' fame * Rufus Carrollton Harris (1897–1988), American academic * Rufus G. Herring (1921–1996), American military officer and Medal of Honor winner * Rufus Hessberg, American doctor and aeromedical scientist * Rufus C. Holman (1877–1959), American politician and businessman * Rufus K. Howell (1820–1890), Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court * Rufus Hussey (1919–1994), American slingshot marksman * Rufus Ingalls (1818–1893), American military general * Rufus Henry Ingram (1834–?), American bushwhacker * Rufus Isaacs (game theorist) (1914–1981), American mathematician * Rufus Zenas Johnston (1874–1959), American military officer and Medal of Honor winner * Rufus Jones (writer) (1863–1948), American writer, philosopher and Quaker * Rufus R. Jones (1933–1993), American wrestler * Rufus Keppel, 10th Earl of Albemarle (born 1965), product designer and founder of a men's-shirt company * Rufus King (general) (1814–1876), American newspaper editor, educator, diplomat, and military general * Rufus King (writer) (1893–1966), American author of crime novels * Rufus King Jr. (1838–1900), American military officer * Rufus B. von KleinSmid (1875–1964), American academic * Rufus Osgood Mason (1830–1903), American physician, teacher, and researcher in parapsychology and hypnotherapy * Rufus May (born 1968?), British clinical psychologist * Rufus McCain (1903–1940), American prisoner at Alcatraz * Rufus Naylor (1882–1939), Australian sporting entrepreneur and gambler * Rufus Norris (born 1965), British theatre director * Rufus Palmer (1828–1873), Canadian physician and political figure * Rufus Porter (painter) (1792–1884), American painter, inventor, and founder of ''Scientific American'' magazine * Rufus Putnam (1738–1824), American military officer * Rufus N. Rhodes (1856–1910), American newspaper editor * Rufus G. Russell (1823–1896), American architect * Rufus Sage (1817–1893), American writer, journalist and mountain man * Rufus Saxton (1824–1908), American military general * Rufus Stephenson (1835–1901), Canadian newspaper editor and political figure * Rufus Stokes (1922–1986), American inventor * Rufus of Thebes, bishop of Thebes in Greece, referenced in Romans 16:13 * Rufus Welch (1800–1856), American circus impresario * Rufus Corbin Wood (1818–1885), sheriff of Norfolk County, Massachusetts * Rufus Yerxa (born 1951), American Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization * Rufus Fairchild Zogbaum (1849–1925), American illustrator, journalist and author

Surname

* Alexis Rufus (born 1979), English Muay Thai kickboxer * Anneli Rufus, American journalist * Geoffrey Rufus (died 1141), English Bishop and Lord Chancellor * Milan Rúfus (1928–2009), Slovak poet and writer * Richard Rufus (born 1975), English football player

Cognomen or nickname

* Rufus (actor), Rufus (born 1942), stage name of Italian-French actor Jacques Narcy * Rufus (Roman cognomen) (disambiguation), Rufus (Roman cognomen), list of people who had one of the most common of the ancient Roman ''cognomina'' * King William II of England (1050s–1100), called "William Rufus" * Alan Rufus (c. 1040–1089), companion of William the Conqueror * Richard Rufus of Cornwall (died 1260), English scholastic philosopher and theologian * Roger Squires, crossword compiler nicknamed Rufus

Animals

* Rufus the Hawk, a bird used to keep pigeons away from the tennis grass courts at Wimbledon

Objects

* the demon core, the plutonium nuclear weapon core that was involved in two deadly nuclear accidents, was originally nicknamed "Rufus"

Fictional characters

*Rufus (Street Fighter), Rufus (''Street Fighter''), one of four new fighters in ''Street Fighter IV'' *Rufus the Bobcat, the mascot for Ohio University *Rufus (Kim Possible), Rufus, a naked mole rat from Disney's TV show ''Kim Possible'' *Rufus McCallister, a character in ''Ninjago'' *Rufus Carlin, a main character in the 2016 NBC show Timeless (American TV series), ''Timeless'' (American TV series) *Rufus Emeterio, a character in the novel ''They Both Die at the End'' *Rufus Moffat, title character of the book ''Rufus M.'' by Eleanor Estes *Rufus Ruffcut, from Hanna-Barbera's TV show ''Wacky Races (1968 TV series), Wacky Races'' *Rufus Scrimgeour, from the Harry Potter universe; see Ministry_of_Magic#Rufus_Scrimgeour, Ministry of Magic *Rufus Shinra, from the ''Final Fantasy VII'' video games; see Characters_of_the_Final_Fantasy_VII_series#Rufus_Shinra, Characters of the ''Final Fantasy VII'' series *Rufus Turner, from the American television drama ''Supernatural''; see List_of_Supernatural_characters#Rufus_Turner, List of ''Supernatural'' characters *Rufus XIV, King of Rubovia, in the 1955 British children's television series ''A Rubovian Legend'' *Rufus, from the 1977 animated film ''The Rescuers'' *Rufus, the forgotten 13th apostle in the film ''Dogma (film), Dogma'', played by Chris Rock *Rufus, protagonist of the children's cartoon series ''The Dreamstone'' *Rufus, time traveler in the films ''Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'' and ''Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'', played by George Carlin **Rufus, time traveler in the television Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1992 TV series), ''Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures'' (1992 TV series), an adaptation of the above film, played by Rick Overton *Rufus, an anthropomorphic raccoon skin from the 2017 video game ''Fortnite'' *Rufus Humphrey, a character from the television series ''Gossip Girl'' *Rufus, a character in the movie ''Kill Bill: Volume 2'', played by Samuel L. Jackson *Rufus T. Firefly, a character in the 1933 film Duck Soup (1933 film), ''Duck Soup'', played by Groucho Marx