Reuel

Boy Name #4,019 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Ancient Hebrew name meaning 'friend of God'

Jewish Christian English African

Spiritual Literary Vintage Strong Classic

Meaning & Origin

"friend of God"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"companion of God"

Origin: Biblical Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Reuel

Reuel (רְעוּאֵל) is an ancient Hebrew name combining 're'a' (friend, companion) and 'El' (God) — literally 'friend of God.' It appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible: Reuel was another name for Jethro, the Midianite priest who was Moses's father-in-law and wise counselor. The name also appears as a grandson of Esau and an Israelite leader in the Wilderness. Most remarkably, Reuel was the middle name of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings.

Reuel remains rare in modern usage, found primarily in devout Christian and Jewish communities with strong biblical naming traditions, and in sub-Saharan Africa where biblical names are particularly popular. Tolkien enthusiasts sometimes choose it in honor of the author.

Jethro/Reuel holds a unique position in biblical history as a non-Israelite who gave wise counsel to Moses, suggesting that divine wisdom transcends tribal boundaries. His advice to Moses on delegating leadership (Exodus 18) is considered one of the earliest recorded examples of management wisdom.

Fun Facts

Reuel was the middle name of J.R.R. Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien), author of The Lord of the Rings
Jethro/Reuel's advice to Moses in Exodus 18 — to delegate leadership responsibilities — is cited by management scholars as one of history's earliest recorded management insights

Reuel in Other Languages

Greek Ραγουήλ

Latin Raguel

Arabic رعوئيل

Hebrew רְעוּאֵל

Amharic ርዑኤል

Famous People Named Reuel

J.R.R. Tolkien

Writer

1892

English author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, whose full name was John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Jethro (Reuel)

Other

The Midianite priest and father-in-law of Moses in the Hebrew Bible, also known by the name Reuel (Exodus 2:18, Numbers ...

The Midianite priest and father-in-law of Moses in the Hebrew Bible, also known by the name Reuel (Exodus 2:18, Numbers 10:29)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #4,019
Total SSA Count: 27
Cultural Origins: Jewish Christian English African
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Common Nicknames

Rue Reu

Pairs Well With

Reuel John Reuel James Reuel David Reuel Thomas Reuel Emmanuel Reuel Solomon Reuel Nathan

Sibling Names

Jethro Miriam Gideon Deborah Caleb Esther Amos Ruth

Similar Names

Paul Rafael Rafaela Rodolfo Uriel Roel Gavriel Gadiel

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Reuel

What does the name Reuel mean?

"friend of God" (from Hebrew). "companion of God" (from Biblical Hebrew). Reuel (רְעוּאֵל) is an ancient Hebrew name combining 're'a' (friend, companion) and 'El' (God) — literally 'friend of God.' It appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible: Reuel was another name for Jethro, the Midianite priest who was Moses's father-in-law and wise counselor. The name also appears as a grandson of Esau and an Israelite leader in the Wilderness. Most remarkably, Reuel was the middle name of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings.

What is the origin of the name Reuel?

Reuel has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, English, and African origins. In Hebrew, it means "friend of God". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "companion of God".

Is Reuel a boy or girl name?

Reuel is primarily used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Reuel?

Reuel is currently ranked #4019 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Reuel?

Common nicknames for Reuel include Rue and Reu.

What are good middle names for Reuel?

Popular middle name pairings include Reuel John, Reuel James, Reuel David, Reuel Thomas, Reuel Emmanuel, Reuel Solomon, and Reuel Nathan.

What are good sibling names for Reuel?

Names that pair well with Reuel as siblings include Jethro, Miriam, Gideon, Deborah, Caleb, Esther, Amos, and Ruth.

How many syllables does Reuel have?

Reuel has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Reuel a common or rare name?

Reuel is an uncommon name, ranked #4019 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Reuel

Reuel is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, English, and African origins . The name means "friend of God" in Hebrew .

Reuel is currently ranked #4,019 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Reuel has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Reuel include Rue and Reu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.