Ruby Girl

Popularity: #63 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ROO-bee //ˈruːbi//

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Latin: red gemstone; English: precious stone

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ruby derives from the Latin word "ruber," meaning "red," which refers to the precious gemstone of the same name. The term made its way into Old French as "rubie" before being adopted into Middle English in the 14th century.

The gemstone has been associated with various cultural significances, often symbolizing love, passion, and vitality, which contributed to the name's appeal as a given name for girls in English-speaking countries. Historically, the name Ruby has been linked to various notable figures and events.

The gemstone itself has been revered since antiquity, with references found in ancient texts, including the Bible, where it is mentioned as one of the stones in the breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:18). During the Middle Ages, rubies were believed to possess protective qualities, and their association with nobility and wealth further enhanced their allure.

The name Ruby began to be used as a personal name in the 19th century, coinciding with a growing interest in gemstones and their meanings. Culturally, the name Ruby has resonated through literature and art, often embodying themes of beauty and strength.

It has appeared in various works, including literature and songs, symbolizing enduring love and passion. The name's connection to the vibrant red color of the gemstone has made it a symbol of warmth and affection.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Rube" have emerged, though the full name remains more prevalent in historical contexts. Overall, Ruby's etymological roots, historical significance, and cultural associations have contributed to its lasting presence as a feminine name.

Famous people named Ruby

In this section, you will find notable people named Ruby. 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 Ruby who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ruby 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.

Ruby Rose is an actress and model best known for Orange Is the New Black, John Wick: Chapter 2, and Batwoman.

Ruby Bridges is an activist best known for being the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South.

Ruby Wax is a comedian and author best known for her work on Ruby Wax Meets..., Ruby's Rules, and as a television presenter.

Fictional characters named Ruby

The following list of fictional characters named Ruby is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Ruby is a fictional character from the animated web series RWBY. She is the main protagonist and leader of Team RWBY, known for her determination and combat skills.

Ruby Rose is a fictional character from the comic book series and animated series RWBY. She is a skilled huntress who fights against monstrous creatures known as Grimm.

Sibling suggestions

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

PearlOpalJadeSapphireAmberGarnet

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ruby. 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.

LilyDaisyHazelChloeMabelZoePoppyLucy

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ruby was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ruby has ranked as high as #51 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in Texas, California, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

In the past 5 years the name Ruby has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ruby 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 Ruby 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 Ruby.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 3,569 15 3,554
2024 3,551 18 3,533
2023 3,377 13 3,364
2022 3,640 19 3,621
2021 3,613 14 3,599
2020 3,352 10 3,342
2019 3,746 8 3,738
2018 3,597 6 3,591
2017 3,593 6 3,587
2016 3,855 8 3,847
2015 3,467 0 3,467
2014 3,430 0 3,430
2013 3,331 10 3,321
2012 2,925 7 2,918
2011 2,776 6 2,770
2010 2,803 5 2,798
2009 3,024 5 3,019
2008 3,026 5 3,021
2007 2,908 8 2,900
2006 2,593 11 2,582
2005 2,472 0 2,472
2004 2,120 0 2,120
2003 1,718 11 1,707
2002 1,579 0 1,579
2001 1,373 7 1,366
2000 1,273 7 1,266
1999 1,215 6 1,209
1998 1,218 11 1,207
1997 1,045 5 1,040
1996 995 10 985
1995 1,066 13 1,053
1994 1,046 15 1,031
1993 1,057 23 1,034
1992 1,055 16 1,039
1991 1,021 17 1,004
1990 975 21 954
1989 788 23 765
1988 642 21 621
1987 642 11 631
1986 567 9 558
1985 605 12 593
1984 609 14 595
1983 603 12 591
1982 636 14 622
1981 689 12 677
1980 670 11 659
1979 669 8 661
1978 636 8 628
1977 607 6 601
1976 624 8 616
1975 638 10 628
1974 607 6 601
1973 645 10 635
1972 647 9 638
1971 743 12 731
1970 703 9 694
1969 687 7 680
1968 650 11 639
1967 757 11 746
1966 820 13 807
1965 996 12 984
1964 1,127 14 1,113
1963 1,394 11 1,383
1962 1,158 10 1,148
1961 1,287 9 1,278
1960 1,401 15 1,386
1959 1,510 8 1,502
1958 1,649 10 1,639
1957 1,788 5 1,783
1956 2,014 22 1,992
1955 2,022 13 2,009
1954 2,161 18 2,143
1953 2,362 20 2,342
1952 2,395 20 2,375
1951 2,367 16 2,351
1950 2,435 21 2,414
1949 2,600 23 2,577
1948 2,907 13 2,894
1947 3,092 23 3,069
1946 3,083 33 3,050
1945 2,926 22 2,904
1944 3,216 27 3,189
1943 3,498 28 3,470
1942 3,547 28 3,519
1941 3,606 25 3,581
1940 3,665 46 3,619
1939 3,743 31 3,712
1938 3,991 49 3,942
1937 4,342 53 4,289
1936 4,274 48 4,226
1935 4,821 57 4,764
1934 5,031 53 4,978
1933 4,998 54 4,944
1932 5,522 53 5,469
1931 5,394 63 5,331
1930 6,055 62 5,993
1929 6,217 64 6,153
1928 6,746 54 6,692
1927 7,345 81 7,264
1926 7,534 58 7,476
1925 7,908 65 7,843
1924 8,472 66 8,406
1923 8,291 59 8,232
1922 8,058 55 8,003
1921 8,407 74 8,333
1920 8,412 76 8,336
1919 8,390 56 8,334
1918 8,213 79 8,134
1917 7,713 51 7,662
1916 7,750 64 7,686
1915 7,295 58 7,237
1914 5,668 43 5,625
1913 4,963 50 4,913
1912 4,503 51 4,452
1911 3,401 29 3,372
1910 2,916 23 2,893
1909 2,539 15 2,524
1908 2,238 9 2,229
1907 2,136 23 2,113
1906 1,989 27 1,962
1905 1,900 15 1,885
1904 1,722 21 1,701
1903 1,557 19 1,538
1902 1,472 14 1,458
1901 1,238 13 1,225
1900 1,562 22 1,540
1899 1,114 11 1,103
1898 1,206 15 1,191
1897 1,036 11 1,025
1896 1,012 18 994
1895 973 19 954
1894 887 13 874
1893 778 9 769
1892 703 8 695
1891 565 11 554
1890 545 5 540
1889 527 5 522
1888 457 12 445
1887 318 9 309
1886 306 5 301
1885 277 5 272
1884 244 0 244
1883 163 0 163
1882 136 0 136
1881 119 0 119
1880 98 6 92

Top States for Ruby (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
CA 374
11%
TX 271
8%
FL 164
5%
OH 152
4%
NY 148
4%
NC 132
4%
UT 128
4%
PA 128
4%
IL 120
3%
WA 105
3%
MI 102
3%
IN 100
3%
GA 97
3%
TN 95
3%
MN 87
2%
MO 80
2%
AZ 73
2%
CO 72
2%
VA 69
2%
WI 69
2%
KY 64
2%
MA 62
2%
NJ 58
2%
OK 56
2%
OR 55
2%
SC 53
2%
IA 52
1%
AL 48
1%
AR 48
1%
KS 47
1%
LA 46
1%
MD 41
1%
CT 37
1%
ID 36
1%
NE 35
1%
WV 24
1%
MS 22
1%
NV 22
1%
MT 19
1%
ND 18
1%
NM 15
0%
NH 15
0%
SD 14
0%
DC 11
0%
HI 10
0%
RI 10
0%
AK 8
0%
ME 8
0%
DE 7
0%