Refugio
Primarily a boy's name of Latin origin with 3,974 recorded births. Also given to 863 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A town, the county seat of Refugio County, Texas, United States.
Refugio is a boy's and girl's baby name of Spanish and Latin origin, from refugium meaning 'shelter,' 'refuge,' or 'sanctuary.' The name has deep Catholic resonance, often given in honor of Our Lady of Refuge — a Marian title honoring the Virgin Mary as a protector of the faithful.
Refugio has been used in Mexico and the American Southwest for generations, carrying the warmth of Catholic devotion and the profound comfort of its meaning — a name that expresses the hope that a child will always be a place of safety for others.
EtymologyShow more
Refugio first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1885. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Latin classification suggests a path from latin linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Refugio was #6435 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7142, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 38 | #10394 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 81 | #8355 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 207 | #4756 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 321 | #2561 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 390 | #1739 | — |
| 1970s | 424 | #1358 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 334 | #1378 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 413 | #1186 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 483 | #981 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 454 | #968 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 545 | #945 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 248 | #1230 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 31 | #1268 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | #1067 | — |
The Story of Refugio
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1927, Refugio is a name steeped in history. Boys named Refugio are most likely born between 1917 and 1937.
How rare is Refugio?
Only about 1 in every 300,000 babies born in 2024 was named Refugio — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1885, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 545 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Refugio by the numbers
- Would fill 83 school buses
- Meeting one Refugio per day would take 10.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(119 years, 1885–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | #7142 |
| 2023 | 6 | #11933 |
| 2022 | 6 | #11997 |
| 2021 | 7 | #10540 |
| 2020 | 7 | #10357 |
| 2019 | 13 | #6696 |
| 2017 | 9 | #8670 |
| 2016 | 8 | #9485 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11783 |
| 2014 | 8 | #9428 |
| 2013 | 15 | #5859 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6914 |
| 2010 | 10 | #8004 |
| 2009 | 12 | #7142 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7593 |
| 2007 | 22 | #4467 |
| 2006 | 26 | #3865 |
| 2005 | 24 | #3916 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6435 |
| 2003 | 21 | #4078 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Refugio as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Refugio has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 863 births since 1890.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Refugio a boy's or girl's name?
When was Refugio most popular?
How popular is the name Refugio?
Can Refugio be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1885–2024