"herb of grace, regret"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Rue
Pronunciation: [ r-OO ]
Does Rue flow with your last name?
A tiny name carrying centuries of literary weight
English
French
American
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"street"
Origin: French
Language: French
"sorrow, regret"
Origin: English
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Rue Bennett from Euphoria (HBO, 2019-present) — complex character dealing with addiction
The Story of Rue
Rue comes from multiple origins: the Old English hreowan meaning regret or sorrow, the ancient herb ruta graveolens (herb of grace) used in medieval medicine, and the French word rue meaning street. In English literature, to rue means to feel regret. Shakespeare used rue symbolically in Hamlet when Ophelia distributes herbs. Despite its melancholy etymology, Rue has a charming, playful sound.
Rue surged in name popularity after Zendaya's portrayal of Rue Bennett in Euphoria (2019). The character, despite dealing with addiction and trauma, became a cultural touchstone, and the name's brevity and distinctiveness appealed to parents. It also has literary connections to The Hunger Games character Rue.
In The Hunger Games, Rue is the sweet, gifted 12-year-old tribute from District 11 whose death is a pivotal emotional moment. The name gained enormous visibility through this beloved series before Euphoria further cemented it.
Historical Record
Rue first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,132 babies have been named Rue in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rue is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,242 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rue is a real herb (Ruta graveolens) that was called the herb of grace in the Middle Ages
- Both Hunger Games and Euphoria feature prominent characters named Rue
Rue in Other Languages
French
Rue
German
Rue
Spanish
Rue
Popularity Over Time
#1,242
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 Bennett Fictional
Other
Protagonist of HBO's Euphoria (2019-present), portrayed by Zendaya, dealing with addiction and identity
R
Rue Fictional
Other
12-year-old tribute from District 11 in The Hunger Games, a beloved character who befriends Katniss
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Compare Rue with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,242
- Total SSA Count
- 188
- 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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Timeless choice, 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
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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
-
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
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Rue is also used as a boy name, ranked #5520.
View Rue as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Latin/Hebrew origin
"graceful beauty"
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"rose, flower"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rue
What does the name Rue mean?
"herb of grace, regret" (from Old English). "street" (from French). "sorrow, regret" (from English). Rue comes from multiple origins: the Old English hreowan meaning regret or sorrow, the ancient herb ruta graveolens (herb of grace) used in medieval medicine, and the French word rue meaning street. In English literature, to rue means to feel regret. Shakespeare used rue symbolically in Hamlet when Ophelia distributes herbs. Despite its melancholy etymology, Rue has a charming, playful sound.
What is the origin of the name Rue?
Rue has Old English, French, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "herb of grace, regret". In French, it means "street". In English, it means "sorrow, regret".
Is Rue a boy or girl name?
Rue is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1242. As a boy name, it is ranked #5520. 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 #1242 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Rue?
Popular middle name pairings include Rue Elise, Rue Violet, Rue Winter, Rue Iris, Rue Sage, and Rue Aurora.
What are good sibling names for Rue?
Names that pair well with Rue as siblings include Zephyr, Cleo, Jasper, Wren, Sable, and Ash.
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 #1242 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Rue
Rue is a girl name with English, French, and American origins . The name means "herb of grace, regret" in Old English .
Is Rue a boy or girl name? Rue is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,242 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #5,520. Rue is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rue is currently ranked #1,242 in popularity for girl 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