Meaning, origin, history
Ruby is a girls' name of Latin origin that means "deep red" or "precious stone". It was originally given to gemstones made from the mineral corundum, which are typically red in color.
The name Ruby has been popular throughout history and has been used by many notable figures. One of the most famous Rubies is Ruby Slipper, the magical shoes worn by Dorothy in L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". Another notable figure named Ruby was Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African American girl who became an icon of the Civil Rights Movement when she integrated an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960.
Today, Ruby is still a popular girls' name and continues to be associated with beauty, preciousness, and strength. It has also been used as a boys' name on occasion, but it remains more commonly given to girls. Overall, Ruby is a classic and timeless name that carries with it a sense of elegance and grace.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Ruby since 1880
Total births
3,081
Total since 1880
Peak year
1927
81 births
in 2023
13
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+192%
↗
vs previous 5 years