After the school colors (Columbia blue, scarlet red, and white) and the Raider mascot were established, the school had New Orleans artist John Chase draw the then unnamed Archbishop Rummel Raider. In 1966, the Raiders were participants in the District Track meet when Mrs. John Cressend, the mother of a senior track member, suggested her son’s name, "Rufus," as an appropriate mascot name to principal Brother John Fairfax. Brother John told Puffy Cressend that if her son won his upcoming mile race, the name of Archbishop Rummel’s mascot would be "Rufus." Sporting a broken arm, senior Rufus Cressend won the race, and the school’s new mascot has been called "Rufus" ever since.

In 1978 the Archbishop Rummel student body had an election to name Rufus’ horse. After reviewing hundreds of names, the students finally selected "Rumpus" as the name of Rufus’ horse.

The nickname "Super Ants" is sometimes associated with Archbishop Rummel Raider football. This nickname dates back to 1972 when a tiny group of Raiders defeated the Chalmette Owls by a 3-0 score. The Owl coach said the Archbishop Rummel defense was so thorough that it was like stepping into an ant pile.