"friend of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Reuel
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Ancient Hebrew name meaning 'friend of God'
Jewish
Christian
English
African
Spiritual
Literary
Vintage
Strong
Classic
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Meaning & Origin
"companion of God"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Reuel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 555 babies have been named Reuel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reuel is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,019 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#4,019
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Reuel
J
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
J
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)
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reuel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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.
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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