Rue Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: roo //ruː//
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: herb; French: street name
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Rue has its roots in the Latin word "ruta," which refers to the herb known as rue, historically associated with various medicinal and symbolic properties. The term made its way into Old French as "ru" and was later adopted into Middle English, where it retained its association with the herb.
The name Rue can also be linked to the Hebrew word "rū'āh," meaning "spirit" or "breath," which has influenced various names and terms in religious texts, although this connection is more abstract and less direct than the botanical origin. Historically, rue has been mentioned in various literary and religious contexts.
In the medieval period, rue was often used in herbal medicine and was thought to ward off evil spirits, which contributed to its symbolic significance. The name Rue may have been used in literature and folklore, reflecting the herb's associations with protection and healing.
Additionally, rue appears in the works of Shakespeare, where it symbolizes regret and sorrow, further embedding the name in cultural consciousness. The name Rue, while not widely used as a given name in historical records, carries connotations of resilience and protection due to its herbal associations.
The diminutive form "Ruth" has biblical significance, as Ruth is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for her loyalty and devotion. This connection to biblical narratives adds a layer of cultural resonance to the name Rue, linking it to themes of fidelity and strength.
Overall, Rue embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural history, reflecting both its botanical origins and its deeper symbolic meanings.
Famous people named Rue
In this section, you will find notable people named Rue. 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 Rue who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Rue 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.
Rue McClanahan was an actress best known for The Golden Girls, Maude, and Mama's Family.
Fictional characters named Rue
The following list of fictional characters named Rue 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.
Rue is a fictional character from the book and film series The Hunger Games. She is a young tribute from District 11 who forms a strong alliance with Katniss Everdeen during the Games.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rue, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rue. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Rue was first seen in the United States in 1896.
Rue has ranked as high as #1172 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Rue has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Rue 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 Rue was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Rue (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 17 | |
| TX | 17 | |
| UT | 13 | |
| OH | 11 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| IL | 9 | |
| PA | 7 | |
| IN | 7 | |
| AZ | 6 | |
| NC | 6 | |
| WI | 6 | |
| CO | 6 | |
| MN | 6 | |
| VA | 6 | |
| GA | 5 |
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 Rue.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 188 |
| 2023 | 183 |
| 2022 | 183 |
| 2021 | 118 |
| 2020 | 70 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2014 | 32 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1958 | 11 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1954 | 12 |
| 1953 | 8 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1951 | 6 |
| 1950 | 9 |
| 1949 | 7 |
| 1948 | 10 |
| 1947 | 6 |
| 1946 | 5 |
| 1944 | 7 |
| 1943 | 7 |
| 1942 | 8 |
| 1941 | 9 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1939 | 5 |
| 1938 | 9 |
| 1937 | 13 |
| 1935 | 11 |
| 1933 | 5 |
| 1932 | 8 |
| 1931 | 6 |
| 1930 | 8 |
| 1929 | 8 |
| 1928 | 10 |
| 1927 | 7 |
| 1926 | 7 |
| 1925 | 12 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1923 | 10 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1920 | 9 |
| 1918 | 6 |
| 1917 | 11 |
| 1916 | 5 |
| 1915 | 10 |
| 1912 | 9 |
| 1903 | 6 |
| 1900 | 7 |
| 1896 | 5 |