Girl name · Latin
Ruby
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: red gemstoneRuby is a girl's name that comes from Latin and means "red gemstone". It is used in English.
- Meaning
- Red gemstone
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Girl
- US rank
- #64 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Ruby
As a girl's name, Ruby comes from Latin and means "red gemstone". It is used in English.
Ruby is also a surname: the 3,938th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 8,747 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Ruby on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Ruby on 9 lists.
“Red gemstone, from Latin; bold as a desert sunset”
From Cowboy names, cowgirl names
“A gem of a name for a red strawberry dart frog”
From Funny frog names, names for pet frogs by type
“For a hen with a bright red wattle”
From Funny names for turkeys, girl turkey names (for hens)
“A deep red gemstone for a precious girl”
From Female cat names, classic girl cat names
“A precious red gem for a precious pup”
From Girl dog names, popular girl dog names
“Red gemstone; Latin. Rich and vintage”
From Girl middle names, gem and celestial middle names
“A precious red gem for a red-coated girl”
From Taco Bell chihuahua name, girl chihuahua names
“A gem of an engine, polished every Saturday”
From Names for firefighters, names for fire trucks and engines
“Red gemstone; Latin. July's birthstone”
From Vintage girl names, vintage flower, plant and gemstone names
How popular is Ruby?
- US rank in 2025
- #64
- 3,554 babies, 2,211 per million girls
- Best rank
- #22 in 1911
- Most babies: 8,406 in 1924
- Babies since 1880
- At least 376,570
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 1,983 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 3,916 per million |
| 1900s | 6,208 per million |
| 1910s | 7,394 per million |
| 1920s | 6,420 per million |
| 1930s | 4,469 per million |
| 1940s | 2,200 per million |
| 1950s | 1,068 per million |
| 1960s | 556 per million |
| 1970s | 416 per million |
| 1980s | 367 per million |
| 1990s | 586 per million |
| 2000s | 1,192 per million |
| 2010s | 1,912 per million |
| 2020s | 2,160 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #71 | #79 | #74 | #66 | #74 | #62 | #62 | #65 | #62 | #64 |
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.
Names spelled like Ruby
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- RubaHill (Arabic, girl)
- RubíRuby (Latin, girl)
- RoryRed king (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- RemyOarsman, rower (Latin, unisex)
- RuthFriend (Hebrew, girl)
- RomyGerman pet form of Rosemarie (Germanic, girl)
- RudoLove (Shona, unisex)
- RuiLapis and life (depends on characters) (Japanese, unisex)
- RumiLasting beauty (Japanese, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
- JadeJade gemstone (Spanish, girl)
- ReidRed-haired (Old English, boy)
- RowanLittle red one (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- RoyRed (Scottish Gaelic, boy)
- RufinaRed-haired (Latin, girl)
- AkaneDeep red, madder (Japanese, girl)
- BerylPale green gemstone (Greek, girl)
- CheyenneRed speakers (Lakota, girl)
- FlannBlood red (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- FlannaitLittle red one (Irish Gaelic, girl)
Middle names for Ruby
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Latin
- LauraLaurel tree (Latin, girl)
- OliviaOlive tree (Latin, girl)
- CarinaDear, beloved (Latin, girl)
- EmiliaRival, striving to equal (Latin, girl)
- FloraFlower, blossom (Latin, girl)
- MarinaOf the sea (Latin, girl)
- ReginaQueen (Latin, girl)
- ValentinaStrong, healthy (Latin, girl)
- CelesteHeavenly, of the sky (Latin, girl)
- ClaraClear, bright (Latin, girl)
Ruby: common questions
What does the name Ruby mean?
Ruby comes from Latin and means "red gemstone".
Is Ruby a boy or girl name?
Ruby is mainly a girl's name. In 2025, 3,554 girls and 15 boys in the US were named Ruby, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Ruby come from?
Ruby comes from Latin and means "red gemstone". Today it is used in English.
How popular is the name Ruby?
Ruby ranked #64 in the US in 2025, with 3,554 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What names are similar to Ruby?
Names spelled like Ruby include Ruba, Rubí, Rory, Remy and Ruth.
What middle names go with Ruby?
Middle names that flow well with Ruby include Elise, Harmony, Heather, Honor and Ottilie. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.