Boy name · Hebrew
Reuben
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: behold, a sonReuben is a boy's name that comes from Hebrew and means "behold, a son". It is used in English and Hebrew.
- Meaning
- Behold, a son
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #889 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Reuben
As a boy's name, Reuben comes from Hebrew and means "behold, a son". It is used in English and Hebrew.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Reuben on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Reuben on 5 lists.
“Behold, a son; Hebrew. Eldest son of Jacob”
From Biblical names, names from Genesis
“Behold, a son; Hebrew. Eldest son of Jacob”
From Boy middle names, biblical middle names for boys
“Behold, a son; Hebrew. Jacob's eldest son”
From Classic boy names, classic biblical boy names
“Behold, a son; Hebrew, Jacob's firstborn son”
From Cute boy names, cute biblical boy names
“Behold, a son; Hebrew. Jacob's eldest son”
From Old man names, old fashioned Bible names for boys
How popular is Reuben?
- US rank in 2025
- #889
- 269 babies, 157 per million boys
- Best rank
- #149 in 1880
- Most babies: 465 in 1920
- Babies since 1880
- At least 32,145
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 676 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 726 per million |
| 1900s | 604 per million |
| 1910s | 490 per million |
| 1920s | 350 per million |
| 1930s | 215 per million |
| 1940s | 138 per million |
| 1950s | 108 per million |
| 1960s | 108 per million |
| 1970s | 154 per million |
| 1980s | 149 per million |
| 1990s | 125 per million |
| 2000s | 114 per million |
| 2010s | 125 per million |
| 2020s | 159 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #875 | #897 | #928 | #893 | #909 | #883 | #852 | #812 | #860 | #889 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Reuben
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- ReuvenBehold, a son (Hebrew, boy)
- RubenBehold, a son (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- IscahTo behold (Hebrew, girl)
- YiskaTo behold (Hebrew, girl)
Middle names for Reuben
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- BenjaminSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Reuben: common questions
What does the name Reuben mean?
Reuben comes from Hebrew and means "behold, a son".
Is Reuben a boy or girl name?
Reuben is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Reuben come from?
Reuben comes from Hebrew and means "behold, a son". Today it is used in English and Hebrew.
How popular is the name Reuben?
Reuben ranked #889 in the US in 2025, with 269 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Reuben?
Forms of Reuben with the same meaning and origin include Reuven (Hebrew) and Ruben (German).
What middle names go with Reuben?
Middle names that flow well with Reuben include Drake, Finn, Glenn, Grant and Lance. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.