"behold, a son"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Reuben
Pronunciation: [ r-OOB-uhn ]
Does Reuben flow with your last name?
An ancient Hebrew name meaning a son to behold
Jewish
English
American
Biblical
Classic
Vintage
Strong
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Reuben
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Meaning & Origin
"see, a son is born"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Reuben
Reuben is one of the oldest names in the Hebrew tradition, derived from the phrase behold, a son in Hebrew. In the Bible, Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and became the patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name carries the weight of biblical history and has been used continuously in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities for millennia.
Reuben enjoyed peak popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries among Jewish and Christian families. It is now experiencing a revival as parents seek solid, vintage names with substance, particularly in the UK where it has been climbing steadily since 2000.
As one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Bible, Reuben holds particular significance in Jewish tradition and was honored with the largest tribe in ancient Israel. The name has been beloved in the Jewish diaspora and among Christian families seeking Old Testament names with gravitas.
Historical Record
Reuben first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 17,999 babies have been named Reuben in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reuben is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #875 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Reuben is the only one of Jacob's twelve sons whose name directly addresses the act of birth
- The Reuben sandwich is named after either Reuben Kulakofsky or Arnold Reuben, both early 20th century American deli figures
Reuben in Other Languages
Arabic
روبين
French
Ruben
German
Ruben
Hebrew
רְאוּבֵן
Spanish
Rubén
Popularity Over Time
#875
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Reuben
R
Reuben James
Musician
1983
British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his soulful folk sound
R
Reuben (biblical patriarch)
Religious
Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible, patriarch of the tribe of Reuben
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #875
- Total SSA Count
- 275
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish English American Biblical
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Rube
Roo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reuben
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Reuben is also used as a girl name, ranked #68398.
View Reuben as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reuben
What does the name Reuben mean?
"behold, a son" (from Hebrew). "see, a son is born" (from Biblical Hebrew). Reuben is one of the oldest names in the Hebrew tradition, derived from the phrase behold, a son in Hebrew. In the Bible, Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and became the patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name carries the weight of biblical history and has been used continuously in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities for millennia.
What is the origin of the name Reuben?
Reuben has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Jewish, English, American, and Biblical origins. In Hebrew, it means "behold, a son". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "see, a son is born".
Is Reuben a boy or girl name?
Reuben is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #875. As a girl name, it is ranked #68398. Reuben is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Reuben?
Reuben is pronounced r-OOB-uhn.
How popular is the name Reuben?
Reuben is currently ranked #875 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Reuben?
Common nicknames for Reuben include Rube and Roo.
What are good middle names for Reuben?
Popular middle name pairings include Reuben James, Reuben Thomas, Reuben Alexander, Reuben Cole, Reuben John, and Reuben George.
What are good sibling names for Reuben?
Names that pair well with Reuben as siblings include Elijah, Miriam, Jonah, Naomi, Ezra, and Leah.
How many syllables does Reuben have?
Reuben has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Reuben a common or rare name?
Reuben is moderately common, ranked #875 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Reuben
Reuben is a boy name with Jewish, English, American, and Biblical origins . The name means "behold, a son" in Hebrew .
Is Reuben a boy or girl name? Reuben is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #875 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #68,398. Reuben is more commonly used as a boy name.
Reuben is currently ranked #875 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Reuben has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-OOB-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Reuben include Rube and Roo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis