Reuben
Meaningbehold, a son · Hebrew
- US rank
- #883
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #147 in 1880
269 babies were named Reuben in the US in 2025. It has climbed 24 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million boys, 1880–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Reuben you might not know, from US birth records and Wikipedia. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
Famous Reuben
Reuben Gabriel
Nigerian footballer
Choose Reuben and your child shares a first name with Reuben Gabriel, a Nigerian footballer. A ready-made answer when someone asks “Reuben, like who?” Reuben Gabriel's Wikipedia article is available in 22 languages, a good sign of just how widely known they are.
Read about Reuben Gabriel on Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)- How commonAbout 1 in every 6,349 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Reuben, 269 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Reuben would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryReuben has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Reubens, and counting.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1880, when it ranked #147. Today it's #883, so it could be due a comeback.
- TrendReuben has climbed 24 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #883. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedReuben is most popular in Idaho, where it ranks #332, followed by Pennsylvania (#378) and Missouri (#439). It's in the top 1,000 in 18 states.
- MeaningIn Hebrew, Reuben means “behold, a son”.
About the name Reuben
Reuben is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning “behold, a son”. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with R and ending in “-ben”. US birth records list Reuben for boys from 1880 to 2025, in 146 of those 146 years. Its best year was 1880, when it ranked #147 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #883, with 269 babies.
Origin:Hebrew names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 675 | 1,482 boys |
| 1890s | 725 | 1,379 boys |
| 1900s | 605 | 1,652 boys |
| 1910s | 497 | 2,013 boys |
| 1920s | 351 | 2,853 boys |
| 1930s | 215 | 4,649 boys |
| 1940s | 141 | 7,086 boys |
| 1950s | 109 | 9,200 boys |
| 1960s | 107 | 9,316 boys |
| 1970s | 154 | 6,486 boys |
| 1980s | 150 | 6,687 boys |
| 1990s | 125 | 8,013 boys |
| 2000s | 114 | 8,754 boys |
| 2010s | 126 | 7,966 boys |
| 2020s | 159 | 6,283 boys |
More Hebrew boy names
- Unisex name: Noah · rest, comfort
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: Elijah · my God is Yahweh
- Boy name: Mateo · gift of God
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Levi · joined, attached
- Unisex name: Elias · my God is Yahweh
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
Questions about the name Reuben
What does the name Reuben mean?
Reuben means “behold, a son” in Hebrew.
What is the origin of the name Reuben?
Reuben has Hebrew roots in our records. Other Hebrew names include Noah, James, Elijah.
Is Reuben a boy or girl name?
Reuben is a boy name.
How popular is the name Reuben?
Reuben ranked #883 for US boys in 2025, given to 269 babies. Its best year was 1880 (#147).