Ruben

Pronunciation: [ r-OOB-uhn ]

Boy Name #502 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Biblical roots, timeless strength

Hebrew Spanish Dutch American

Classic Traditional Strong Earthy Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"behold, a son"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

Reuben sandwich association may prompt food jokes
Old-fashioned in some cultural circles

The Story of Ruben

Ruben is the Spanish and Dutch form of the Hebrew Reuben, meaning 'behold, a son' — the words spoken by Leah upon the birth of Jacob's firstborn son in the Book of Genesis. The name has been carried through centuries of Jewish, Christian, and Spanish Catholic tradition.

Ruben has remained consistently popular in Spanish-speaking communities and has gained broader appeal as a multicultural alternative to the more anglicized Reuben.

As one of the twelve sons of Jacob, Reuben holds deep biblical significance; in Latin America, Rubén is a beloved classic masculine name.

Fun Facts

Reuben was the firstborn of Jacob's twelve sons, founders of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rubén Darío, the Nicaraguan poet, is considered the father of literary Modernism in the Spanish language.
The Reuben sandwich, despite the name, has disputed origins with no confirmed connection to the name.

Ruben in Other Languages

Dutch Ruben

French Ruben

Hebrew רְאוּבֵן (Re'uven)

Spanish Rubén

Famous People Named Ruben

Ruben Dias

Athlete

1997

Portuguese footballer and Manchester City defender

Ruben Studdard

Musician

1978

American Idol Season 2 winner known as the 'Velvet Teddy Bear'

Rubén Darío

Writer

1867

Nicaraguan poet, father of Spanish-language Modernism

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #502
Total SSA Count: 607
Cultural Origins: Hebrew Spanish Dutch American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Rube Ru

Pairs Well With

Ruben James Ruben Alexander Ruben David Ruben Antonio Ruben Carlos Ruben Michael Ruben Emmanuel

Sibling Names

Simon Levi Mateo Esther Miriam Naomi Elena

Also a Girl Name

Ruben is also used as a girl name, ranked #37337.

View Ruben as a girl name →

Similar Names

Robert Reuben Eben Robin Robbie Roberto Robyn Raven

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ruben

What does the name Ruben mean?

"behold, a son" (from Hebrew). Ruben is the Spanish and Dutch form of the Hebrew Reuben, meaning 'behold, a son' — the words spoken by Leah upon the birth of Jacob's firstborn son in the Book of Genesis. The name has been carried through centuries of Jewish, Christian, and Spanish Catholic tradition.

What is the origin of the name Ruben?

Ruben has Hebrew, Spanish, Dutch, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "behold, a son".

Is Ruben a boy or girl name?

Ruben is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #502. As a girl name, it is ranked #37337. Ruben is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Ruben?

Ruben is pronounced r-OOB-uhn.

How popular is the name Ruben?

Ruben is currently ranked #502 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Ruben?

Common nicknames for Ruben include Rube and Ru.

What are good middle names for Ruben?

Popular middle name pairings include Ruben James, Ruben Alexander, Ruben David, Ruben Antonio, Ruben Carlos, Ruben Michael, and Ruben Emmanuel.

What are good sibling names for Ruben?

Names that pair well with Ruben as siblings include Simon, Levi, Mateo, Esther, Miriam, Naomi, and Elena.

How many syllables does Ruben have?

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

Is Ruben a common or rare name?

Ruben is moderately common, ranked #502 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Ruben

Ruben is a boy name with Hebrew, Spanish, Dutch, and American origins . The name means "behold, a son" in Hebrew .

Is Ruben a boy or girl name? Ruben is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #502 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #37,337. Ruben is more commonly used as a boy name.

Ruben is currently ranked #502 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Ruben has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-OOB-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Ruben include Rube and Ru. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.