Find out how popular the first name Reuben has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Reuben by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Reuben is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Reuben being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 300 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Reuben.

The history of the first name Reuben

The name Reuben has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, tracing back to ancient biblical times. It is derived from the Hebrew term "re'uven," meaning "behold, a son" or "he has seen my misery." The name is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis as one of the twelve sons of Jacob, the biblical patriarch.

In the biblical narrative, Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. He played a significant role in the story of Joseph, attempting to save his younger brother from being harmed by the other sons. Reuben's name carries this symbolic meaning of seeing and acknowledging the difficulties and hardships faced by his mother, Leah.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Reuben appears in the Old Testament, where it is mentioned multiple times in reference to the tribe of Reuben, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribe was known for its bravery in battle and its territorial holdings on the eastern side of the Jordan River.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Reuben. One of the earliest was Reuben the Galilean, a Jewish leader who lived during the first century AD and was mentioned in the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus. Another historical figure was Reuben Eldar (1912-1992), an Israeli politician and one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence.

In the realm of literature, Reuben is the name of a character in the classic novel "Ivanhoe" by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1819. The character, a Jewish moneylender, plays a significant role in the story and helps to illustrate the challenges faced by Jewish communities during the medieval period.

Other notable individuals named Reuben include Reuben Greenberg (1919-1983), an American police chief and law enforcement pioneer; Reuben Fine (1914-1993), a renowned American chess grandmaster and author; and Reuben Kadish (1913-1992), an American artist known for his abstract expressionist paintings.

While the name Reuben has its roots in Hebrew and biblical tradition, it has been adopted and used across various cultures and communities throughout history, often carrying symbolic meanings of strength, resilience, and perseverance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Reuben was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Reuben, please contact us.

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