Rubens first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Rubens has been for the last 40 years (from 1983 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Rubens

Derived from the Latin name Rubens, meaning "red", "ruddy", or "reddish".

Popularity of Rubens by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Rubens is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rubens.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 6 0
2019 6 0
2018 7 0
2017 6 0
2016 15 0
2015 14 0
2014 6 0
2013 8 0
2012 7 0
2011 5 0
2009 7 0
2008 5 0
2007 5 0
2002 8 0
2000 5 0
1997 7 0
1996 6 0
1992 5 0
1991 5 0
1990 5 0
1988 8 0
1985 7 0
1983 6 0

The history of the first name Rubens

The name Rubens is of Latin origin and can be traced back to ancient Roman times. It is derived from the Latin word "rubeus," meaning "red" or "ruddy," likely referring to someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion.

One of the earliest known references to the name Rubens can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, who mentioned a Roman soldier named Rubens Gallus in his work "Annales" from around 109 AD.

During the Middle Ages, the name Rubens appeared occasionally in various European regions, particularly in the Low Countries (present-day Belgium and the Netherlands). One notable bearer of the name was the Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), who is widely regarded as one most influential artists of the 17th century.

Other notable individuals named Rubens throughout history include Rubens Bertone (1915-1997), an Italian automobile designer best known for his work with Citroën, Alfa Romeo, and the creation of the iconic Lamborghini Countach. Rubens de Falco (1838-1900) was a Brazilian writer and journalist who played a significant role in the abolitionist movement in Brazil.

In the world of sports, Rubens Sambueza (born 1984) is an Argentine professional footballer who has played for clubs such as River Plate and Club América. Rubens Barrichello (born 1972) is a Brazilian racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1993 to 2011, winning 11 Grand Prix races during his career.

Another noteworthy figure was Rubens Rodrigues Torres Filho (1942-2012), a Brazilian philosopher and professor who made significant contributions to the fields of aesthetics and philosophy of science.

While the name Rubens has roots in ancient Roman culture, it has been used across various regions and time periods, often associated with individuals of cultural or artistic significance.

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 Rubens was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Rubens first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 28, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/rubens-meaning-and-history/.

"Rubens first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/rubens-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 28 April, 2025

Rubens first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/rubens-meaning-and-history/.

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