Reuben

Pronunciation: [ r-OOB-uhn ]

Boy Name #875 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

An ancient Hebrew name meaning a son to behold

Jewish English American Biblical

Classic Vintage Strong Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"behold, a son"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"see, a son is born"

Origin: Biblical Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

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.

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

Famous People Named Reuben

Reuben James

Musician

1983

British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his soulful folk sound

Reuben (biblical patriarch)

Religious

Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible, patriarch of the tribe of Reuben

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

Pairs Well With

Reuben James Reuben Thomas Reuben Alexander Reuben Cole Reuben John Reuben George

Sibling Names

Elijah Miriam Jonah Naomi Ezra Leah

Also a Girl Name

Reuben is also used as a girl name, ranked #68398.

View Reuben as a girl name →

Similar Names

Ruthie Ruben Robin Rudy Truly Rubi Reuven Ruhi

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.