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

Popularity of Rui by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rui is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 92% of people named Rui being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 47 male babies and 6 female babies born with the name Rui.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby girls were named Rui in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Rui

The name Rui originated from the Japanese language. It is a masculine given name that can be written using different kanji characters, each with its own meaning. The most common kanji for Rui is 涙, which means "tear" or "teardrop."

Another interpretation of the name Rui comes from the kanji 瑠璃, which refers to a deep blue or green-colored gemstone called lapis lazuli. This gemstone was highly valued in ancient times and was often associated with royalty and the upper classes.

The name Rui is believed to have been in use since the Heian period (794-1185 CE) in Japan. During this time, it was common for Japanese names to be inspired by nature, with many names incorporating elements such as flowers, trees, and celestial bodies.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rui can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient chronicle of Japanese history and mythology from the 8th century CE. In this text, there is a reference to a character named Rui no Sukune, who was said to be a skilled warrior and archer.

Throughout Japanese history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Rui. One of the most famous was Rui Nishi (1718-1804), a renowned calligrapher and painter during the Edo period. His works are highly regarded and can be found in museums and private collections around the world.

Another prominent figure was Rui Taki (1873-1952), a Japanese politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the early 20th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and agreements with other nations during a turbulent period in Japanese history.

In the realm of literature, Rui Suzuki (1865-1915) was a celebrated novelist and poet who is recognized as one of the pioneers of modern Japanese literature. His works often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition.

Rui Umezawa (1941-2015) was a renowned Japanese actor who appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout his career. He was known for his versatility and his ability to portray a wide range of characters.

Lastly, Rui Hachisuka (1920-1993) was a prominent Japanese ornithologist and wildlife conservationist. He made significant contributions to the study of birds and worked tirelessly to protect endangered species and their habitats.

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

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

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