[name_m]Rufus[/name_m] is a long debated name for me- I absolutely love it and can just picture myself with a little [name_m]Rufus[/name_m]. However, it’s been on and off my list due to the ‘dogs name’ and ‘rhymes with doofus’ issues.
I’m just wondering if maybe this is more of a US/[name_f]Canada[/name_f] mindset as I’d never heard either comments before nameberry and definitely have never come across a dog called [name_m]Rufus[/name_m]. So my question is- to those of you from the UK, would you still think the same thing? Or is it wearable in the UK? Is this a cultural distinction or a universal problem with the name?
Added extra if anyone has a [name_m]Rufus[/name_m], have you ever had either of these comments from people?
I love [name_m]Rufus[/name_m], it’s on my list, so I might be biased, but I don’t think it’s a dog name any more than [name_u]Max[/name_u] or [name_u]Teddy[/name_u] which are currently popular here.
I do know a dog called [name_m]Rufus[/name_m], but I also think it’s a very wearable name for a child in the UK. I know little boys named [name_m]Rupert[/name_m] and [name_m]Rafferty[/name_m] and [name_m]Ralph[/name_m], so I think [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] would fit in fine.
I think it’s wearable. I’m in the UK and I’ve recently met a number of [name_m]Rubens[/name_m], Hugos and a [name_m]Raffy[/name_m] and [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] gives me the same feel.
Eqaully, to put things in perspective, there were 214 baby boys called [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] in the UK in 2017, meaning it ranks at 250 - not popular or over used in the slightest, but not out of use either
I think it’s super cute and I’ve never come across a dog called [name_m]Rufus[/name_m]. I know about 10 dogs called [name_f]Millie[/name_f] and people still use that for their babies.
[name_m]Rufus[/name_m] isn’t a name that appeals to me personally but I think it’s definitely usable. I’ve only encountered one dog named [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] so I don’t think it’s a popular dogs’ name here, and I agree with the other poster that “doofus” sounds very American.
I’m Australian, but know two English Rufuses in their 30s-40s and I have a nephew [name_m]Rufus[/name_m]. On the people, it’s a cool, highly appealing and happy name. You can’t help both smile and pay attention upon meeting a [name_m]Rufus[/name_m]. My nephew and his parents don’t get negative comments about [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] but a couple of people have said to me, ‘I like it now but I first thought “dog’s name”’.
Late to the party, but I adore [name_m]Rufus[/name_m]! I love lots of R names for boys — they feel really tousle-haired and mischievous to me.
I think [name_m]Rufus[/name_m] is absolutely wearable/usable. No one I know says “doofus”, and I’ve never seen the issue with the “dog name” argument. I’m married to a perfectly functional human [name_u]Max[/name_u], and next door’s dog has the same name as my brother. No biggie.
My mum used to have a horse called [name_m]Rufus[/name_m], so it will always be a ‘pet’ name to me. For some reason it makes me think of a snobby person as well, so I’d personally stay clear. However, I think it’s definitely usable in the UK.
