Declining since 1989, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Rueben since 1886
Babies named Rueben per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Rueben's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 |
| 1890s | 26 |
| 1900s | 41 |
| 1910s | 376 |
| 1920s | 579 |
| 1930s | 314 |
| 1940s | 311 |
| 1950s | 398 |
| 1960s | 422 |
| 1970s | 507 |
| 1980s | 576 |
| 1990s | 508 |
| 2000s | 391 |
| 2010s | 277 |
| 2020s | 138 |
Meaning & origin
Rueben is a variant spelling of Reuben, a name with deep biblical roots. In 2025, it ranked 3,848 in the U.S., with roughly 1 in 61,003 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak popularity came in 1911, and it has been declining in use since 1989. Despite its low current usage, the name carries a strong traditional and religious heritage, particularly within Jewish and Christian communities. The spelling 'Rueben' is less common than 'Reuben' but maintains the same pronunciation and meaning, offering a slightly distinctive choice for families seeking a classic name with a twist.
Rueben is a variant spelling of Reuben, from the Hebrew name רְאוּבֵן (Re'uven), meaning 'behold, a son.' In the Bible, Reuben is the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and the name has been used among English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, often in Jewish communities as well.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rube, Benny, Ben
Sibling names for Rueben
Names that share Rueben's style, for a brother or sister.
