"rue plant, bitter herb"
Origin: Latin via Old French
Language: English
Rue
Pronunciation: [ r-OO ]
Does Rue flow with your last name?
A one-syllable literary gem with ancient herbal roots
English
French
American
Minimalist
Literary
Unique
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Rue
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"to feel regret"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"street"
Origin: French
Language: French
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strong association with Euphoria character Rue (female), may read as feminine
The Story of Rue
Rue has multiple linguistic origins. As an English word it refers to the rue plant (Ruta graveolens), a bitter herb associated in medieval tradition with regret and repentance — hence the verb to rue (to feel regret). In French, rue simply means street. As a given name it is extremely rare, particularly for boys, but fits perfectly within the trend of one-syllable nature and word names.
Rue experienced a surge in recognition after the HBO series Euphoria (2019) featured a female protagonist named Rue, played by Zendaya. For boys, the name remains very rare but appeals to parents who favor short, literary, unconventional choices.
The rue plant was strewn in medieval churches and courtrooms as a disinfectant, and appears in Shakespeare — Ophelia distributes rue in Hamlet. This gives the name unexpected literary and historical depth.
Historical Record
Rue first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 121 babies have been named Rue in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rue is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,520 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rue (the plant) was called the herb of grace in medieval England and strewn in churches
- Ophelia mentions rue in Hamlet: Theres rue for you; and heres some for me
Rue in Other Languages
Latin
Ruta
French
Rue
German
Raute
Spanish
Ruda
Popularity Over Time
#5,520
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rue
R
Rue McClanahan
Actor
1934
American actress best known for playing Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls
R
Rue Bennett Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the HBO series Euphoria (2019), played by Zendaya — a teenage girl navigating addiction and recovery
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5,520
- Total SSA Count
- 17
- Cultural Origins
- English French American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
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
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rue
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Rue is also used as a girl name, ranked #1242.
View Rue as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rue
What does the name Rue mean?
"rue plant, bitter herb" (from Latin via Old French). "to feel regret" (from Old English). "street" (from French). Rue has multiple linguistic origins. As an English word it refers to the rue plant (Ruta graveolens), a bitter herb associated in medieval tradition with regret and repentance — hence the verb to rue (to feel regret). In French, rue simply means street. As a given name it is extremely rare, particularly for boys, but fits perfectly within the trend of one-syllable nature and word names.
What is the origin of the name Rue?
Rue has Latin via Old French, Old English, French, English, and American origins. In Latin via Old French, it means "rue plant, bitter herb". In Old English, it means "to feel regret". In French, it means "street".
Is Rue a boy or girl name?
Rue is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5520. As a girl name, it is ranked #1242. Rue is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Rue?
Rue is pronounced r-OO.
How popular is the name Rue?
Rue is currently ranked #5520 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Rue?
Popular middle name pairings include Rue Elliot, Rue Harrison, Rue James, Rue Oliver, Rue Bennett, Rue August, and Rue Theodore.
What are good sibling names for Rue?
Names that pair well with Rue as siblings include Wren, Sage, Finn, Blythe, Wilder, Clem, and Poet.
How many syllables does Rue have?
Rue has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rue a common or rare name?
Rue is an uncommon name, ranked #5520 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Rue
Rue is a boy name with English, French, and American origins . The name means "rue plant, bitter herb" in Latin via Old French .
Is Rue a boy or girl name? Rue is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,520 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,242. Rue is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rue is currently ranked #5,520 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Rue has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-OO, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
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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