Ruben: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Ruben is a variant of the name Reuben, referring to the first-born son of Jacob in the Old Testament.

Ruben Overview

Meaning

Behold, a son

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Reuben,” meaning “behold, a son”.

Religion

Judaism, Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈruːbən/

Popularity

Ruben is popular in Spanish-speaking countries and parts of Europe, including Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. In 2023, it ranked #480 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Traditional, Religious and Spiritual, Classic

Associated Traits

Strong, dependable, charismatic, intelligent

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Ruben is associated with the biblical figure Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, significant in both Christianity and Judaism.

Name Day

September 15th, August 3 (Sweden)

Ruben Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Reuben, Rubin, Rube, Rubenio, Rubén, Rubensio, Reuven, Ruvim, Ruebén, Rubenik

Common Nicknames

Rube, Benny, Rue, Ben, Rubenito, Rubencito, Rubí, Ru, Rey, Rubinho

Diminutives

Ben, Rue, Rube, Rubi, Rubencito

Famous People

Ruben Studdard
(American R&B Singer)
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
(English Soccer Player)
Ruben Östlund
(Swedish Director)
Ruben Vargas
(Swiss Soccer Player)
Ruben Nicolai
(Dutch TV Show Host)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Ruben Carter
("The Hurricane," Film)
Ruben Fleischer
("Zombieland," Film)
Ruben Bolling
("Tom the Dancing Bug," Comic Strip)
"Ruben Brandt, Collector"
(Film)

Places

Ruben Locality
(Brandenburg, Germany)

What Is the Meaning of Ruben?

Ruben means “behold,” or “a son.” This name conveys a sense of joy and pride, typically given to signify the happiness of having a son.

What Is the Origin of The Name Ruben?

The name Ruben has Hebrew origins, derived from the Hebrew name “Reuven,” which translates to “behold, a son.”

Ruben Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Ruben in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#4592022	#4802023
Top 3 Rankings	#1651980	#1691981	#1711976

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Ruben

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	480 (-21 from 2022)	627 (-42 from 2022)	0.03424
2022	459 (+1 from 2021)	669 (+17 from 2021)	0.03572
2021	460 (+5 from 2020)	652 (+16 from 2020)	0.03480
2020	465 (-48 from 2019)	636 (-105 from 2019)	0.03438
2019	417 (-2 from 2018)	741 (-12 from 2018)	0.03856
2018	415 (+2 from 2017)	753 (+4 from 2017)	0.03874
2017	417 (-20 from 2016)	749 (-51 from 2016)	0.03785
2016	397 (-23 from 2015)	800 (-64 from 2015)	0.03949
2015	374 (-16 from 2014)	864 (-29 from 2014)	0.04226
2014	358 (-3 from 2013)	893 (+4 from 2013)	0.04358
2013	355 (-26 from 2012)	889 (-70 from 2012)	0.04399
2012	329 (-6 from 2011)	959 (-18 from 2011)	0.04726
2011	323 (-26 from 2010)	977 (-125 from 2010)	0.04809
2010	297 (-16 from 2009)	1102 (-97 from 2009)	0.05364
2009	281 (-24 from 2008)	1199 (-157 from 2008)	0.05653
2008	257 (-14 from 2007)	1356 (-123 from 2007)	0.06219
2007	243 (-18 from 2006)	1479 (-118 from 2006)	0.06677
2006	225 (+9 from 2005)	1597 (+131 from 2005)	0.07284
2005	234 (-16 from 2004)	1466 (-135 from 2004)	0.06891
2004	218 (-3 from 2003)	1601 (-54 from 2003)	0.07576
2003	215 (+4 from 2002)	1655 (+83 from 2002)	0.07877
2002	219 (-12 from 2001)	1572 (-163 from 2001)	0.07606
2001	207 No change from 2000	1735 (+18 from 2000)	0.08388
2000	207 (+2 from 1999)	1717 (+80 from 1999)	0.08222
1999	209 (-4 from 1998)	1637 (+54 from 1998)	0.08028
1998	205 (-6 from 1997)	1583 (-12 from 1997)	0.07807
1997	199 (-9 from 1996)	1595 (-68 from 1996)	0.07984
1996	190 (-6 from 1995)	1663 (-34 from 1995)	0.08300
1995	184 (-3 from 1994)	1697 (-27 from 1994)	0.08437
1994	181 (+3 from 1993)	1724 (-25 from 1993)	0.08458
1993	184 (-6 from 1992)	1749 (-56 from 1992)	0.08468
1992	178 (+4 from 1991)	1805 (+73 from 1991)	0.08599
1991	182 (-4 from 1990)	1732 (-12 from 1990)	0.08171
1990	178 (+8 from 1989)	1744 (+147 from 1989)	0.08104
1989	186 (-8 from 1988)	1597 (+3 from 1988)	0.07619
1988	178 (+2 from 1987)	1594 (+68 from 1987)	0.07961
1987	180 (+6 from 1986)	1526 (+144 from 1986)	0.07825
1986	186 (-6 from 1985)	1382 (-72 from 1985)	0.07192
1985	180 (+3 from 1984)	1454 (+80 from 1984)	0.07556
1984	183 (-9 from 1983)	1374 (-123 from 1983)	0.07321
1983	174 (+3 from 1982)	1497 (+26 from 1982)	0.08033
1982	177 (-8 from 1981)	1471 (-2 from 1981)	0.07795
1981	169 (-4 from 1980)	1473 (-14 from 1980)	0.07909
1980	165 (+7 from 1979)	1487 (+90 from 1979)	0.08017
1979	172 No change from 1978	1397 (+17 from 1978)	0.07799
1978	172 (+1 from 1977)	1380 (+15 from 1977)	0.08077
1977	173 (-2 from 1976)	1365 (+4 from 1976)	0.07985
1976	171 (+1 from 1975)	1361 (-15 from 1975)	0.08336
1975	172 No change from 1974	1376 (-6 from 1974)	0.08481
1974	172 (+7 from 1973)	1382 (+73 from 1973)	0.08477
1973	179 (+5 from 1972)	1309 (-12 from 1972)	0.08112
1972	184 (+7 from 1971)	1321 (-2 from 1971)	0.07891
1971	191 (+7 from 1970)	1323 (-3 from 1970)	0.07278
1970	198 (+3 from 1969)	1326 (+90 from 1969)	0.06961
1969	201 (+3 from 1968)	1236 (+98 from 1968)	0.06757
1968	204 (-7 from 1967)	1138 (-36 from 1967)	0.06410
1967	197 (+3 from 1966)	1174 (-21 from 1966)	0.06598
1966	200 (+12 from 1965)	1195 (+46 from 1965)	0.06574
1965	212 (-4 from 1964)	1149 (-199 from 1964)	0.06065
1964	208 (+10 from 1963)	1348 (+88 from 1963)	0.06650
1963	218 (-11 from 1962)	1260 (-120 from 1962)	0.06103
1962	207 (-1 from 1961)	1380 (-5 from 1961)	0.06566
1961	206 (+2 from 1960)	1385 (+28 from 1960)	0.06421
1960	208 (+1 from 1959)	1357 (-3 from 1959)	0.06267
1959	209 (-7 from 1958)	1360 (-11 from 1958)	0.06277
1958	202 (-5 from 1957)	1371 (-10 from 1957)	0.06362
1957	197 (+2 from 1956)	1381 (+10 from 1956)	0.06309
1956	199 No change from 1955	1371 (+77 from 1955)	0.06388
1955	199 (-1 from 1954)	1294 (+37 from 1954)	0.06191
1954	198 (+3 from 1953)	1257 (+56 from 1953)	0.06075
1953	201 No change from 1952	1201 (+106 from 1952)	0.05998
1952	201 (-1 from 1951)	1095 (+55 from 1951)	0.05549
1951	200 No change from 1950	1040 (+14 from 1950)	0.05440
1950	200 (+3 from 1949)	1026 (+28 from 1949)	0.05641
1949	203 (+6 from 1948)	998 (+90 from 1948)	0.05538
1948	209 (+30 from 1947)	908 (+171 from 1947)	0.05093
1947	239 (+2 from 1946)	737 (+89 from 1946)	0.03968
1946	241 (-3 from 1945)	648 (+88 from 1945)	0.03926
1945	238 (+24 from 1944)	560 (+53 from 1944)	0.04083
1944	262 (-2 from 1943)	507 (-37 from 1943)	0.03650
1943	260 (+2 from 1942)	544 (+30 from 1942)	0.03740
1942	262 (-4 from 1941)	514 (+53 from 1941)	0.03650
1941	258 (+10 from 1940)	461 (+19 from 1940)	0.03674
1940	268 (-14 from 1939)	442 (-8 from 1939)	0.03726
1939	254 (+5 from 1938)	450 (+5 from 1938)	0.03971
1938	259 (-21 from 1937)	445 (-44 from 1937)	0.03916
1937	238 No change from 1936	489 (+8 from 1936)	0.04471
1936	238 (+2 from 1935)	481 (-8 from 1935)	0.04519
1935	240 (+15 from 1934)	489 (+46 from 1934)	0.04572
1934	255 (+11 from 1933)	443 (+45 from 1933)	0.04172
1933	266 (-19 from 1932)	398 (-71 from 1932)	0.03901
1932	247 No change from 1931	469 (+4 from 1931)	0.04365
1931	247 (-4 from 1930)	465 (-51 from 1930)	0.04347
1930	243 (+11 from 1929)	516 (+31 from 1929)	0.04568
1929	254 (-1 from 1928)	485 (-6 from 1928)	0.04379
1928	253 (+11 from 1927)	491 (+12 from 1927)	0.04303
1927	264 (+6 from 1926)	479 (+39 from 1926)	0.04122
1926	270 (+7 from 1925)	440 (+13 from 1925)	0.03841
1925	277 (+12 from 1924)	427 (+29 from 1924)	0.03708
1924	289 (+4 from 1923)	398 (+30 from 1923)	0.03405
1923	293 (+7 from 1922)	368 (+7 from 1922)	0.03250
1922	300 (+1 from 1921)	361 (+4 from 1921)	0.03208
1921	301 (+12 from 1920)	357 (+21 from 1920)	0.03137
1920	313 (+17 from 1919)	336 (+44 from 1919)	0.03052
1919	330 (+8 from 1918)	292 (+6 from 1918)	0.02876
1918	338 (-23 from 1917)	286 (-3 from 1917)	0.02727
1917	315 (+34 from 1916)	289 (+52 from 1916)	0.03013
1916	349 (-19 from 1915)	237 (-19 from 1915)	0.02567
1915	330 (-6 from 1914)	256 (+57 from 1914)	0.02906
1914	324 (+5 from 1913)	199 (+45 from 1913)	0.02912
1913	329 (-8 from 1912)	154 (+20 from 1912)	0.02872
1912	321 (+36 from 1911)	134 (+75 from 1911)	0.02968
1911	357 (-90 from 1910)	59 (-24 from 1910)	0.02444
1910	267 (-3 from 1909)	83 (+12 from 1909)	0.03981
1909	264 (+14 from 1908)	71 (+11 from 1908)	0.04014
1908	278 (-12 from 1907)	60 (-2 from 1907)	0.03606
1907	266 (+7 from 1906)	62 (+10 from 1906)	0.03910
1906	273 (+41 from 1905)	52 (+11 from 1905)	0.03609
1905	314 (+8 from 1904)	41 (+3 from 1904)	0.02862
1904	322 (-65 from 1903)	38 (-12 from 1903)	0.02744
1903	257 (+25 from 1902)	50 (+5 from 1902)	0.03866
1902	282 (+12 from 1901)	45 (+10 from 1901)	0.03390
1901	294 (-2 from 1900)	35 (-15 from 1900)	0.03028
1900	292 (+19 from 1899)	50 (+18 from 1899)	0.03084
1899	311 (-45 from 1898)	32 (-13 from 1898)	0.02778
1898	266 (+13 from 1897)	45 (+3 from 1897)	0.03407
1897	279 (-20 from 1896)	42 (-7 from 1896)	0.03444
1896	259 (+36 from 1895)	49 (+12 from 1895)	0.03796
1895	295 (+11 from 1894)	37 (+4 from 1894)	0.02922
1894	306 (-33 from 1893)	33 (-8 from 1893)	0.02642
1893	273 (-3 from 1892)	41 (-3 from 1892)	0.03387
1892	270 (+70 from 1891)	44 (+19 from 1891)	0.03347
1891	340 (+11 from 1890)	25 No change from 1890	0.02288
1890	351 (-57 from 1889)	25 (-8 from 1889)	0.02089
1889	294 (+110 from 1888)	33 (+12 from 1888)	0.02772
1888	404 (-128 from 1887)	21 (-13 from 1887)	0.01617
1887	276 (-9 from 1886)	34 (-6 from 1886)	0.03110
1886	267 (+51 from 1885)	40 (+12 from 1885)	0.03360
1885	318 (+14 from 1884)	28 No change from 1884	0.02415
1884	332 (-34 from 1883)	28 (-2 from 1883)	0.02281
1883	298 (-4 from 1882)	30 (-4 from 1882)	0.02667
1882	294 (+66 from 1881)	34 (+13 from 1881)	0.02786
1881	360 (-55 from 1880)	21 (-9 from 1880)	0.01939
1880	305 First SSA data recorded	30 First SSA data recorded	0.02534

American States Popularity Rankings for Ruben

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#2362021

#2372022

#2682023

Texas (TX)

#2532021

#2512022

#2522023

New York (NY)

#7182021

#7692022

#9512023

Arizona (AZ)

#3232021

#2062022

#3302023

Illinois (IL)

#4742021

#4412022

#5552023

Florida (FL)

#5222021

#5172022

#5592023

New Mexico (NM)

#1992021

#3472022

#3942023

Colorado (CO)

#3832021

#4702022

#5142023

Michigan (MI)

#8052020

#8042021

#9792023

New Jersey (NJ)

#5842021

#6772022

#5422023

Georgia (GA)

#9572021

#10922022

#15332023

Washington (WA)

#4832021

#5302022

#3592023

North Carolina (NC)

#6872021

#6392022

#5512023

Alabama (AL)

#6742014

#7902015

#8232019

Ohio (OH)

#9232019

#14142022

#14642023

Wisconsin (WI)

#6862021

#8782022

#6122023

Indiana (IN)

#5792020

#6902021

#6962023

Oklahoma (OK)

#7962021

#7702022

#6822023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#12232021

#8912022

#8402023

Mississippi (MS)

#5092003

#5932005

#5642007

Oregon (OR)

#3772021

#3892022

#5292023

Virginia (VA)

#5532020

#9292022

#10432023

Tennessee (TN)

#6692021

#8092022

#6432023

Louisiana (LA)

#5332015

#7922016

#9172020

Massachusetts (MA)

#4072018

#5172019

#5042022

South Carolina (SC)

#6812020

#6382022

#7082023

Arkansas (AR)

#4372010

#4062012

#6272016

Nevada (NV)

#2192021

#3092022

#3432023

Kansas (KS)

#6522020

#4082021

#2742023

Missouri (MO)

#8282017

#9662019

#9812022

Utah (UT)

#7502020

#5522022

#5022023

Minnesota (MN)

#5242019

#5052022

#7182023

Connecticut (CT)

#4362007

#5102011

#4992012

Kentucky (KY)

#6722015

#7162017

#5552018

Idaho (ID)

#3002008

#3812010

#3582014

Nebraska (NE)

#4322017

#4982020

#4222021

Maryland (MD)

#6912020

#7792021

#9002023

South Dakota (SD)

#1521929

#1831936

#2221952

North Dakota (ND)

#1421927

#1291928

#1861930

Iowa (IA)

#4082017

#5422019

#5512023

Hawaii (HI)

#3051992

#3011995

#2831997

Rhode Island (RI)

#1521998

#1612001

#1382003

Montana (MT)

#1551923

#1511929

#1741948

District of Columbia (DC)

#2472005

#2402007

Popularity Rankings for Ruben in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain

#412012

#392013

#462014

Popularity in Spain

Spain

#532020

#632021

#662022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#992009

#1082022

#1052023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#1322019

#1232020

#1102021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#1532021

#1482022

#1212023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina

#1251999

#1662005

#1672009

Popularity in France

France

#1502019

#1522020

#1432021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#1602020

#1752021

#1602022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#2262021

#1632022

#3482023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium

#1632018

#1912019

#1962020

Popularity in Austria

Austria

#1682005

#1952008

#1982009

Popularity in Norway

Norway

#1782021

#2872022

#2472023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#1782021

#2392022

#1812023

Popularity in Chile

Chile

#1881920

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico

#1892020

#1892021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#2322017

#2202019

#2352021

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#2712021

#2982022

#3612023

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#3122021

#4592022

#2922023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#3662021

#3612022

#4052023

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#11432020

#11072021

#5502022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#9602020

#7082021

#9442022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Ruben a Name for Boys or Girls?

Ruben is traditionally a boy’s name, widely used across many cultures and languages.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Ruben

Reuben
Rubin
Rubino
Rúben
Rubem
Rouben
Ruvim
Rubén
Rhouben
Reuven

Ben
Benny
Rue
Rube
Rubinho
Meaning: Deep red precious stone
Origin: LatinRuby
Rubes
Rubs
Ruu
Benny-boy

Rube
Rubinho
Meaning: Deep red precious stone
Origin: LatinRuby
Rubes
Rubs

Ruben in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Ruben Studdard (R&B Singer, 1978): An American singer who gained fame after winning the second season of "American Idol."
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Soccer Player, 1996): An English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team.
Ruben Östlund (Director, 1974): A Swedish film director and screenwriter known for his works such as "Force Majeure" and "The Square."
Ruben Vargas (Soccer Player, 1998): A Swiss professional footballer who plays as a winger for Bundesliga club FC Augsburg and the Switzerland national team.
Ruben Nicolai (TV Show Host, 1975): A Dutch television presenter and comedian known for hosting various entertainment shows.

Ruben Carter ("The Hurricane," 1999 Film): A film based on the true story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongfully imprisoned for murder.
Ruben Fleischer ("Zombieland," 2009 Film): A comedy horror film directed by Ruben Fleischer, known for its unique blend of humor and zombie action.
Ruben Bolling ("Tom the Dancing Bug," Comic Strip): A comic strip that satirizes current events and politics.
"Ruben Brandt, Collector" (2018 Film): An animated heist film about a psychotherapist who is forced to steal famous artworks.

Ruben Locality (Brandenburg, Germany): A locality in the Brandenburg region, known for its historical significance and scenic landscapes.

Reuban
Reubin
Roban
Robben
Robin
Robyn

Sibling Names for Ruben

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Ruben Also Like

After this short read, comment your thoughts to share me what you think about the name Ruben. Don’t forget to tell people around you about the meaning of this lovely name.

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Ruben Name Meaning