Rising since 1994, #2,641 for boys today.
Popularity of Rui since 1967
Babies named Rui per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 | 146 |
| 1980s | 0 | 105 |
| 1990s | 0 | 68 |
| 2000s | 10 | 123 |
| 2010s | 21 | 176 |
| 2020s | 54 | 264 |
Meaning & origin
Rui is a Portuguese name with roots in the Germanic Hrodric, meaning 'famous ruler,' though some link it to Latin rufus for 'red.' First recorded in U.S. data in 1967, it has been rising in popularity since 1994 and reached its peak in 2024 with a rank of 2,641 in 2025. The name is most common in California and is primarily used as a masculine given name, while it also appears in Portuguese-speaking communities worldwide.
Rui is a Portuguese given name, derived from the Germanic name Hrodric, composed of the elements hrod ('fame') and ric ('ruler'), thus meaning 'famous ruler.' It is also sometimes linked to the Latin rufus ('red,' 'red-haired'). The name has been used in Portugal since medieval times and is also common in Brazil and Lusophone Africa.
Where Rui is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Rui” around the world
Where Rui lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Rui
Names that share Rui's style, for a brother or sister.
