Refujio
Primarily a boy's name of Spanish origin with 332 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Refujio, you're looking at a name that fewer than 332 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The open, approachable ending gives Refujio a stately quality that carries weight in formal contexts while staying approachable.
Refujio is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Refujio is a boy's and girl's baby name of Spanish origin, a variant spelling of Refugio, from the Spanish refugio meaning 'refuge' or 'shelter' — from the Catholic title Our Lady of Refuge (Nuestra Señora del Refugio) — a name of divine protection and sanctuary.
Refujio/Refugio is a devotional name widely used in Mexican and Mexican-American communities, expressing gratitude to Our Lady of Refuge. It carries the profound meaning of sanctuary — the place of safety where the vulnerable are protected — making its bearer's very name a declaration of divine shelter and care.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Refujio is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1922–2002). Its Spanish roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 332 total births, Refujio exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Refujio has 49+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1922.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 23 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 38 | — |
| 1970s | 42 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 24 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 38 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 59 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 48 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 55 | — |
The Story of Refujio
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1926, Refujio is a name steeped in history. Boys named Refujio are most likely born between 1922 and 1936.
How rare is Refujio?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Refujio is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1922, peaked in the 1940s with 59 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Refujio by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(49 years, 1922–2002)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | #12099 |
| 1997 | 6 | #9017 |
| 1994 | 6 | #8570 |
| 1991 | 5 | #9299 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7901 |
| 1988 | 5 | #8240 |
| 1987 | 6 | #6769 |
| 1986 | 7 | #5796 |
| 1984 | 6 | #6150 |
| 1981 | 9 | #4413 |
| 1980 | 5 | #7056 |
| 1978 | 7 | #4935 |
| 1977 | 12 | #3344 |
| 1976 | 6 | #5459 |
| 1975 | 5 | #6124 |
| 1974 | 7 | #4528 |
| 1971 | 5 | #5491 |
| 1969 | 5 | #4882 |
| 1963 | 7 | #3579 |
| 1962 | 6 | #3942 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Refujio as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Refujio has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1929.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Refujio a boy's or girl's name?
When was Refujio most popular?
How popular is the name Refujio?
Can Refujio be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1922–2002