"Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine."
Biblical Name · Latin Origin
Rufus Meaning in the Bible
Rufus
boy
Rufus means "Red-haired; Red", a boy's name of Latin origin. Rufus appears in the King James Bible, and Romans 16:13 is the passage most often tied to it. Rufus — 'chosen in the Lord' — came from a family marked by the cross. His father carried Jesus' cross; his mother nurtured Paul. Their story shows how one moment of service to Christ can transform a family's destiny for eternity.
Is Rufus in the Bible?
Yes — Rufus appears in the King James Bible, including Romans 16:13.
Pronunciation:/ROO-fus/
OriginLatin
MeaningRed-haired; Red
What does Rufus mean?
Rufus is a boy name of Latin origin meaning "Red-haired; Red". Rufus means "red-haired" or "red" in Latin. In the New Testament, Rufus appears in Romans 16:13, where Paul sends a deeply personal greeting: "Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine." This remarkable phrase — "his mother and mine" —…
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What does Rufus mean in the Bible?
Rufus means "Red-haired; Red" and is a name of Latin origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Rufus means "red-haired" or "red" in Latin. In the New Testament, Rufus appears in Romans 16:13, where Paul sends a deeply personal greeting: "Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine." This remarkable phrase — "his mother and mine" — reveals that Rufus's mother had been like a mother to Paul himself.
Many scholars connect this Rufus with the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled to carry Jesus' cross. Mark's Gospel identifies Simon as "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Mark 15:21) — naming the sons suggests they were known to Mark's audience, likely the Roman church.
If this connection is correct, Rufus's father literally carried the cross of Christ. This family's story arc — from a random passerby pressed into service to a household that mothered the apostle Paul — is one of the most beautiful examples of God's providence in Scripture.
Where does Rufus appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Rufus is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Romans 16:13. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross."
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Which books of the Bible mention Rufus?
Rufus is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Rufus?
Rufus — 'chosen in the Lord' — came from a family marked by the cross. His father carried Jesus' cross; his mother nurtured Paul. Their story shows how one moment of service to Christ can transform a family's destiny for eternity.
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What names are related to Rufus?
Names like Rufus
Other Latin biblical names that share the spirit of "Red-haired; Red" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Rufus
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Rufus
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Rufus name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Rufus appears in the King James Bible, including Romans 16:13.
Rufus means "Red-haired; Red." It is a Latin name. The King James Bible uses it in Romans 16:13, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Latin. Rufus comes into English from Latin and carries the sense "Red-haired; Red." It appears in the King James Bible, including Romans 16:13.
Common questions about the name Rufus
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Rufus?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Rufus?
You can read every verse where Rufus appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.