Is Rudy a boy's or girl's name?

Rudy is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 1,141 recorded births.

When was Rudy most popular?

Rudy reached its peak popularity in 1960 with 832 births that year. It is currently ranked #822 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Rudy?

Rudy is currently ranked #822 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 49,862 babies since 1882.

Rudy

A familiar German name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanRising fast Also a pet name

#822▲ 8in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the male given name Rudolph.

Rudy is a boy's and girl's baby name of German origin, a diminutive of Rudolph, from the Old High German Hrodulf, composed of hrod (fame) and wulf (wolf), meaning "famous wolf." It has been used as a given name in its own right since the early 20th century.

With nearly 50,000 U.S. births recorded, Rudy has a warm, working-class charm. The 1993 film Rudy — about walk-on Notre Dame football player Rudy Ruettiger — gave the name an underdog, never-give-up spirit that resonates deeply with American families.

Compare Rudy with another name

Popularity Over Time

Rudy was #552 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #822, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Rudy
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,447	#834	▼
2010s	2,736	#821	▼
2000s	3,825	#602	▼
1990s	5,048	#447	—
1980s	5,354	#356	▲
1970s	4,927	#352	▼
1960s	6,347	#309	—
1950s	6,894	#274	▲
1940s	5,785	#253	▲
1930s	4,213	#265	▲
1920s	2,374	#424	▲
1910s	728	#591	▲
1900s	121	#802	▲
1890s	40	#1019	▲
1880s	23	#973	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(135 years, 1882–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Rudy
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	303	#822	+7 (2.4%)
2023	296	#830	+7 (2.4%)
2022	289	#843	-2 (-0.7%)
2021	291	#822	+23 (8.6%)
2020	268	#851	+11 (4.3%)
2019	257	#865	-15 (-5.5%)
2018	272	#823	+26 (10.6%)
2017	246	#875	-16 (-6.1%)
2016	262	#861	-4 (-1.5%)
2015	266	#846	+9 (3.5%)
2014	257	#862	-14 (-5.2%)
2013	271	#810	-15 (-5.2%)
2012	286	#792	-24 (-7.7%)
2011	310	#733	+1 (0.3%)
2010	309	#740	-18 (-5.5%)
2009	327	#724	-62 (-15.9%)
2008	389	#632	+55 (16.5%)
2007	334	#699	-42 (-11.2%)
2006	376	#628	-12 (-3.1%)
2005	388	#584	-29 (-7.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Rudy as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Rudy has also been given to 1,141 girls in the U.S. since 1912.

#6331

Current rank

1,141

Total births

1986

Peak year

Compare Rudy as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Rudy be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Rudy is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #822. As a girl's name, it ranks #6331.

Rudy has two lives

Rudy, the baby name

#822boys

49,862 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1882–2024) · Methodology