All about the name

Reuben

Female

« Reuben is a Hebrew name derived from the root verb "ra'ah," meaning "to see," and associated with the noun "Ribayyim," meaning "visions." It was first used in the Bible as the name of Jacob's eldest son, given because Leah had seen a vision from God. »

#35578 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Reuben is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the root verb "ra'ah" which means "to see". It is also associated with the Hebrew noun "Ribayyim," meaning "visions." In the Bible, Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah. According to the story, Leah named him Reuben because she had seen (ra'ah) a vision (Ribayyim) from God. The name Reuben has been used throughout history in various cultures. It gained popularity among Christians during the Middle Ages due to its biblical origins. In some European languages, such as German and Dutch, it is known by variations like Ruben or Rubinus. Today, Reuben continues to be used as a given name for boys, although it is more commonly found in Jewish communities. In terms of notable figures, one famous bearer of the name Reuben was Reuben J. Clark Jr., who served as a president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1961 until his death in 1963. Other notable individuals named Reuben include American jazz saxophonist and composer Reuben Jackson and Israeli footballer Reuben Nachmany. Overall, the name Reuben is rich in history and meaning, with roots tracing back to biblical times. Its unique derivation from Hebrew words related to sight and visions makes it distinctive among other names of similar origin.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Reuben since 1880

Total births
45
Total since 1880
Peak year
1981
7 births
in 1988
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years