Ruben Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationROO-ben / /ˈruːbən/Hebrew; Spanish
Meaning
Hebrew: 'behold, a son'; Spanish: 'from the red earth'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ruben has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the biblical name רְאוּבֵן (Re'uven), which is composed of two elements: "ra'ah" meaning "to see" and "ben" meaning "son." Thus, the literal translation of Ruben is often interpreted as "behold, a son." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, a significant figure in the Genesis narrative, which dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. The name was later transliterated into Greek as Ρουβέν (Roubén) and subsequently into Latin as Ruben, before making its way into Old French and then into Middle English, where it was adopted in various forms.
Throughout history, the name Ruben has been borne by numerous notable figures, particularly within Jewish tradition. In the biblical context, Ruben is recognized not only for his lineage but also for his role in the story of Joseph, where he attempts to save his brother from being sold into slavery. The name has been carried by various saints and has appeared in religious texts, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, which contributed to its spread in Christian contexts during the Middle Ages.
Culturally, the name Ruben has been associated with themes of strength and leadership, reflecting the qualities attributed to the biblical Ruben. In Jewish tradition, the name is often linked to the idea of seeing or understanding, which resonates with the values of wisdom and insight. The diminutive form "Rube" has also been used historically, though it is less common. Overall, Ruben has maintained a significant presence in various cultures, symbolizing familial bonds and heritage.
Trend Summary
Ruben has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable presence in the early to mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Ruben
- Reuben
International Variants
- Rubén (Spanish)
- Reuben (English)
- Ruben (Dutch)
- Rúben (Portuguese)
Famous people named Ruben
Ruben Studdard is a singer best known for American Idol, Soulful, and I Need an Angel.
Ruben Fleischer is a director best known for Zombieland, Venom, and 30 Minutes or Less.
Ruben Blades is a musician and actor best known for Siembra, The Mambo Kings, and Fear the Walking Dead.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a professional footballer best known for Chelsea FC, Crystal Palace, and the England national team.
Ruben Amaro Jr. is a former baseball player and executive best known for his time with the Philadelphia Phillies and as a general manager.
Fictional characters named Ruben
Ruben is a fictional character from the animated film The Lion King 1½. He is a meerkat who serves as a comedic sidekick and friend to Timon and Pumbaa.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ruben was first seen in the United States in 1880. Ruben has ranked as high as #333 nationally, which occurred in 1992, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Arizona, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Ruben has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Ruben (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 159 | |
TX | 143 | |
AZ | 30 | |
FL | 16 | |
WA | 15 | |
NV | 14 | |
NY | 14 | |
IN | 13 | |
GA | 12 | |
NC | 12 | |
OK | 12 | |
NM | 10 | |
OH | 9 | |
IL | 8 | |
MI | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 30 |
1881 | 21 |
1882 | 34 |
1883 | 30 |
1884 | 28 |
1885 | 28 |
1886 | 40 |
1887 | 34 |
1888 | 21 |
1889 | 33 |
1890 | 25 |
1891 | 25 |
1892 | 44 |
1893 | 41 |
1894 | 33 |
1895 | 37 |
1896 | 49 |
1897 | 42 |
1898 | 45 |
1899 | 32 |
1900 | 50 |
1901 | 35 |
1902 | 45 |
1903 | 50 |
1904 | 38 |
1905 | 41 |
1906 | 52 |
1907 | 62 |
1908 | 60 |
1909 | 71 |
1910 | 83 |
1911 | 59 |
1912 | 134 |
1913 | 154 |
1914 | 199 |
1915 | 256 |
1916 | 237 |
1917 | 289 |
1918 | 286 |
1919 | 292 |
1920 | 336 |
1921 | 357 |
1922 | 361 |
1923 | 368 |
1924 | 398 |
1925 | 427 |
1926 | 440 |
1927 | 479 |
1928 | 491 |
1929 | 485 |
1930 | 516 |
1931 | 465 |
1932 | 469 |
1933 | 398 |
1934 | 443 |
1935 | 489 |
1936 | 481 |
1937 | 489 |
1938 | 445 |
1939 | 450 |
1940 | 442 |
1941 | 461 |
1942 | 514 |
1943 | 544 |
1944 | 507 |
1945 | 560 |
1946 | 648 |
1947 | 737 |
1948 | 908 |
1949 | 998 |
1950 | 1,026 |
1951 | 1,040 |
1952 | 1,095 |
1953 | 1,201 |
1954 | 1,257 |
1955 | 1,294 |
1956 | 1,371 |
1957 | 1,381 |
1958 | 1,371 |
1959 | 1,359 |
1960 | 1,358 |
1961 | 1,386 |
1962 | 1,379 |
1963 | 1,260 |
1964 | 1,348 |
1965 | 1,149 |
1966 | 1,195 |
1967 | 1,174 |
1968 | 1,138 |
1969 | 1,236 |
1970 | 1,326 |
1971 | 1,323 |
1972 | 1,321 |
1973 | 1,309 |
1974 | 1,382 |
1975 | 1,376 |
1976 | 1,361 |
1977 | 1,365 |
1978 | 1,380 |
1979 | 1,397 |
1980 | 1,487 |
1981 | 1,473 |
1982 | 1,472 |
1983 | 1,497 |
1984 | 1,374 |
1985 | 1,454 |
1986 | 1,382 |
1987 | 1,527 |
1988 | 1,594 |
1989 | 1,598 |
1990 | 1,744 |
1991 | 1,732 |
1992 | 1,805 |
1993 | 1,749 |
1994 | 1,724 |
1995 | 1,697 |
1996 | 1,663 |
1997 | 1,595 |
1998 | 1,583 |
1999 | 1,637 |
2000 | 1,718 |
2001 | 1,736 |
2002 | 1,572 |
2003 | 1,655 |
2004 | 1,601 |
2005 | 1,466 |
2006 | 1,597 |
2007 | 1,479 |
2008 | 1,356 |
2009 | 1,199 |
2010 | 1,102 |
2011 | 977 |
2012 | 959 |
2013 | 889 |
2014 | 893 |
2015 | 864 |
2016 | 801 |
2017 | 749 |
2018 | 753 |
2019 | 743 |
2020 | 636 |
2021 | 652 |
2022 | 669 |
2023 | 629 |
2024 | 607 |