The name Rueben has its origins in the Hebrew language and can be traced back to ancient biblical times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "re'uven" which means "behold, a son" or "see, a son". The name is associated with the tribe of Reuben, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah in the Book of Genesis.

The name Rueben has been mentioned in various religious texts, including the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. In the Book of Genesis, Reuben is described as the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, and his name is given to one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The earliest recorded example of the name Rueben can be found in the Bible itself, where it is mentioned as the name of the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Rueben.

One of the most famous people with the name Rueben was the 17th-century Dutch mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes (1596-1650), who is widely regarded as the father of modern philosophy. Another notable Rueben was the 19th-century American painter Reuben Garrett Cheshire (1825-1900), whose landscapes and still-life paintings were highly acclaimed during his lifetime.

In the 20th century, Reuben Garrett Lucius Goldberg (1883-1970) was an American cartoonist, sculptor, and author, best known for his satirical inventions and drawings depicting complex gadgets performing simple tasks. Additionally, Reuben Leon Terlecki (1925-2006) was a Polish-American artist and sculptor, whose works are featured in various museums and galleries around the world.

The name Rueben has also been used by other historical figures, such as Reuben Fine (1914-1993), an American chess grandmaster and author, and Reuben Braude (1906-1999), an American lawyer and civil rights activist.