Reuven Boy

Popularity: #880 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: REH-oo-ven /ˈreʊ.vən/

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: behold, a son

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Reuven is of Hebrew origin, derived from the elements "re" meaning "behold" and "ven" meaning "a son," thus translating to "behold, a son." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, which dates back to the 1st millennium BCE. The name Reuven is often transliterated into various forms, including Reuben in English, which emerged through the Greek version of the Hebrew text, and subsequently passed into Latin and Old French before becoming established in English.

Historically, Reuven has been significant in Jewish tradition, particularly due to its biblical roots. The character of Reuven is noted for his role in the narrative of Joseph, where he attempts to save his brother from being harmed by their other siblings.

The name has been borne by various notable figures throughout Jewish history, including scholars and leaders, which has contributed to its enduring presence in Jewish culture. The name is also referenced in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, further solidifying its historical significance.

Culturally, Reuven carries connotations of strength and leadership, reflective of its biblical heritage. In Jewish tradition, names are often seen as carrying deep significance, and Reuven's association with the firstborn son imbues it with a sense of primacy and importance.

The name has various diminutive forms, such as Reuvy, which are used affectionately in familial contexts. Overall, Reuven's historical and cultural resonance has allowed it to maintain a prominent place in Jewish naming practices.

Famous people named Reuven

In this section, you will find notable people named Reuven. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Reuven who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Reuven who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Reuven Rivlin is a politician and lawyer best known for serving as the President of Israel from 2014 to 2021.

Reuven Feuerstein is a psychologist best known for developing the Feuerstein Method of cognitive education.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Reuven, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DavidMiriamLeahIsaacRachel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Reuven. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

RubenRuvimReubenRuvainRuvin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Reuven was first seen in the United States in 1959.

Reuven has ranked as high as #5036 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Reuven has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Reuven is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Reuven was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Reuven.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 58 58
2024 59 59
2023 39 39
2022 41 41
2021 43 43
2020 51 51
2019 33 33
2018 31 31
2017 25 25
2016 34 34
2015 38 38
2014 25 25
2013 16 16
2012 26 26
2011 27 27
2010 21 21
2009 15 15
2008 19 19
2007 19 19
2006 21 21
2005 26 26
2004 21 21
2003 20 20
2002 23 23
2001 26 26
2000 28 28
1999 9 9
1998 17 17
1997 16 16
1996 16 16
1995 15 15
1994 11 11
1992 13 13
1991 19 19
1990 10 10
1989 8 8
1988 9 9
1987 20 20
1986 9 9
1985 16 16
1983 14 14
1982 10 10
1980 12 12
1979 11 11
1978 6 6
1977 11 11
1975 6 6
1974 18 18
1972 6 6
1971 7 7
1970 10 10
1959 7 7

Top States for Reuven (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NJ 22
51%
NY 21
49%