Reuel
Reuel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Friend of God.
Origin and history
Reuel is a traditional biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'friend of God.' In the Old Testament, Reuel is another name for Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. It remains a rare but enduring choice in the United States, appreciated by parents seeking a distinctive name with classic scriptural roots.
Popularity in the United States
958 babies in the United States have been named Reuel since 1880. It ranks #3721 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1776.
States where it is most popular
- TX (61.5 %)
- CA (38.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 16 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 81 |
| 1920-1930 | 120 |
| 1930-1940 | 83 |
| 1940-1950 | 62 |
| 1950-1960 | 72 |
| 1960-1970 | 38 |
| 1970-1980 | 39 |
| 1980-1990 | 41 |
| 1990-2000 | 51 |
| 2000-2010 | 77 |
| 2010-2019 | 122 |
| 2020-2029 | 151 |
Fun facts
- Reuel is famously the second middle name of celebrated author J.R.R. Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien).
- In the Book of Exodus, Reuel is identified as a Midianite priest and the father-in-law of Moses.