Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ruben
BoyHebrew, Spanish· “behold, a son”
- Meaning
- behold, a son
- Origin
- Hebrew, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- ROO-bin
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #480
- US babies 2025
- 632
- Best rank
- #165 (1980)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Ruben
Ruben is a Hebrew and Spanish name that means “behold, a son”.
Ruben is a form of Reuben, the name of the eldest son of Jacob and Leah in the Book of Genesis and ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Genesis explains it through the Hebrew phrase meaning see, a son. The Ruben spelling is standard in Spanish, Dutch, Scandinavian and German usage, which gives it a wide international reach. The Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens carried the related surname. Today Ruben feels warm and familiar without being overused, and it sits comfortably with other Old Testament names like Levi and Asher. Rube and Ben are possible nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Reuben.
Popularity over time
Ruben has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #165 in 1980, and the most babies received it in 1992, when 1,805 were named Ruben. In 2025, 632 babies were named Ruben, and it ranked #480 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #314 in 1920, #200 in 1950, #165 in 1980, #207 in 2000, #297 in 2010, and #480 in 2025. Of the 116,552 US boys named Ruben since records began, 15% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 15,379 babies. Since 2010, 12,558 more have been named Ruben.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Shaquille, Zachery, Tevin, Devante, and Malcolm.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ruben ranked highest in California, Texas, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #234 | 159 |
| Texas | #240 | 164 |
| New Mexico | #264 | 8 |
| Arizona | #306 | 26 |
| Oregon | #347 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ruben is usually pronounced ROO-bin, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Reuben.
Middle names for Ruben
A few middle names that flow with Ruben: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ruben
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Lists that include Ruben
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ruben mean?
Ruben is a Hebrew and Spanish name that means “behold, a son”.
What is the origin of the name Ruben?
Ruben has Hebrew and Spanish roots. Ruben is a form of Reuben, the name of the eldest son of Jacob and Leah in the Book of Genesis and ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Is Ruben a popular name?
Yes. Ruben ranked #480 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ruben a boy or girl name?
Ruben is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ruben?
Ruben is usually pronounced ROO-bin. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings