Boy Name
Rush
Rush means “Waterside plant, plant in marshes”. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Rush — a boy name — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Waterside plant, plant in marshes", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Russ is on your shortlist, Rush belongs in the same conversation.
Rush meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Waterside plant, plant in marshes
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Rush as R·U·S·H, with 4 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Rush is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Rush variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Rusha, Rushe, Rushy.
- Nicknames: Rush works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Rush with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Rush middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Russ, Rock, Rhys, Riggs, Ric — full picks on the sibling names for Rush guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Rush? Browse our names like Rush guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Rush
What does the name Rush mean?
Rush means "Waterside plant, plant in marshes". The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Rush is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Rush?
The exact origin of Rush is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Rush?
Rush has 4 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Rush a boy's or girl's name?
Rush is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Rush in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Rush sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Rush?
Names that share Rush's sound and style include Russ, Rock, Rhys, Riggs, Ric.
What middle names pair well with Rush?
Good middle-name fits for Rush pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Rush is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Rush is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Rush?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Rush share its rhythm without rhyming — Russ, Rock, Rhys all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.