Ruel
Ruel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Friend of God.
Origin and history
Ruel is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, historically functioning as a variant of Reuel. It has maintained a steady but rare presence in the United States since records began in 1880. Its quiet, traditional sound gives it a distinct vintage feel.
Popularity in the United States
1,921 babies in the United States have been named Ruel since 1880. It ranks #2931 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1870.
States where it is most popular
- TX (29.9 %)
- KY (28 %)
- OK (10.8 %)
- AR (10.2 %)
- GA (7.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 10 |
| 1890-1900 | 47 |
| 1900-1910 | 62 |
| 1910-1920 | 260 |
| 1920-1930 | 372 |
| 1930-1940 | 260 |
| 1940-1950 | 180 |
| 1950-1960 | 155 |
| 1960-1970 | 115 |
| 1970-1980 | 99 |
| 1980-1990 | 79 |
| 1990-2000 | 86 |
| 2000-2010 | 56 |
| 2010-2019 | 83 |
| 2020-2029 | 57 |
Famous people named Ruel
- Ruel Van Dijk: singer, songwriter
Fun facts
- Ruel is a variant spelling of Reuel, an ancient Hebrew name given to several figures in the Bible, including Jethro.
- Fewer than 2,000 boys in the U.S. have been named Ruel since 1880, keeping it consistently distinct.