Rue

Pronunciation: [ r-OO ]

Girl Name #1,242 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

A tiny name carrying centuries of literary weight

English French American

Literary Whimsical Modern Minimalist Bold

Meaning & Origin

"herb of grace, regret"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"street"

Origin: French

Language: French

"sorrow, regret"

Origin: English

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Rue

Rue Bennett Fictional

Other

Protagonist of HBO's Euphoria (2019-present), portrayed by Zendaya, dealing with addiction and identity

Rue Fictional

Other

12-year-old tribute from District 11 in The Hunger Games, a beloved character who befriends Katniss

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

Pairs Well With

Rue Elise Rue Violet Rue Winter Rue Iris Rue Sage Rue Aurora

Sibling Names

Zephyr Cleo Jasper Wren Sable Ash

Also a Boy Name

Rue is also used as a boy name, ranked #5520.

View Rue as a boy name →

Similar Names

Lou Andrew Bruce Lou Troy Drew True Drue

Playground Safety

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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.

Rue