Reuben
Reuben is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Behold, a son.
Origin and history
Reuben is a classic biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'behold, a son.' In the Old Testament, Reuben is the eldest son of Jacob and Leah and the founder of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. It has maintained a steady, classic presence in the United States for over a century.
Popularity in the United States
32,145 babies in the United States have been named Reuben since 1880. It ranks #654 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #812.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.2 %)
- TX (9.5 %)
- PA (8.4 %)
- NY (7.5 %)
- OH (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 741 |
| 1890-1900 | 828 |
| 1900-1910 | 820 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,274 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,860 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,269 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,060 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,193 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,076 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,542 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,759 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,436 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,279 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,359 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,649 |
Famous people named Reuben
- Reuben Fine: Chess Grandmaster, Psychologist
- Reuben Mattus: Entrepreneur, Businessman
Nicknames
Rube, Reu
Fun facts
- In the Book of Genesis, Reuben is the firstborn son of Jacob and the ancestor of the Tribe of Reuben.
- The name is famously associated with the Reuben sandwich, a classic American grilled sandwich invented in the early 20th century.