Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Rueben
BoyHebrew· “variant of Reuben, "behold, a son"”
- Meaning
- variant of Reuben, "behold, a son"
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ROO-ben
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,929
- US babies 2025
- 28
- Best rank
- #802 (1921)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Rueben
Rueben is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Reuben, "behold, a son"”.
Rueben is a spelling of Reuben, the name of Jacob's eldest son and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Book of Genesis explains the name through Leah's words at his birth, "behold, a son," from the Hebrew re'u ben. Rueben swaps the eu to ue, which matches the English pronunciation, ROO-ben. Americans also know the traditional spelling from the Reuben sandwich of corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. Reuven is the modern Hebrew form, and Ruben the usual form in Spanish, Dutch and Scandinavian languages.
Popularity over time
Rueben first appears in US Social Security records in 1886. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 21 different years, starting in 1886. Its best national rank was #802 in 1921, the same year it reached its highest count of 72 babies. In 2025, 28 babies were named Rueben, and it ranked #3,929 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #971 in 1920, #1,137 in 1950, #1,121 in 1980, #2,246 in 2000, #4,492 in 2010, and #3,929 in 2025. Of the 4,871 US boys named Rueben since records began, 12% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 576 babies. Since 2010, 415 more have been named Rueben.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Vergil, Richmond, Yoshio, Finis, and Burdette.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Rueben is usually pronounced ROO-ben, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Rueben
A few middle names that flow with Rueben: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rueben
Similar names
Reuben Boy
ROO-buhn
“behold, a son” · Hebrew
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“modern coinage; possibly from biblical Jadon” · American (modern coinage)
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Cohen Boy
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Ruben Boy
ROO-bin
“behold, a son” · Hebrew
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Landen Boy
LAN-duhn
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Braden Boy
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WAWR-uhn
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Darren Boy
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Irish
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Lists that include Rueben
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rueben mean?
Rueben is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Reuben, "behold, a son"”.
What is the origin of the name Rueben?
Rueben has Hebrew roots. Rueben is a spelling of Reuben, the name of Jacob's eldest son and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Is Rueben a popular name?
Not especially. Rueben ranked #3,929 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rueben a boy or girl name?
Rueben is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Rueben?
Rueben is usually pronounced ROO-ben. 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