How to say it
RU · ben
ˈruː.bən
Masculine
Ruben
Behold, a son
What it means
A spelling of Reuben, from the Hebrew for 'behold, a son.'
Ruben is the Spanish and continental spelling of Reuben, from the Hebrew reu ben, 'behold, a son,' the firstborn of Jacob in the Bible. It is a steady classic across Spanish-speaking countries and Northern Europe alike. Painter Peter Paul Rubens carries the surname form. Warm and grounded. Said ROO-ben.
How to spell Ruben
The standard spelling is Ruben. Common variants include Reuben, Rubén, Rubin, but Ruben is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #165 in 1980, currently #480 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A spelling of Reuben; Spanish Rubén.
- Worth knowing
Jacob's firstborn in the Bible; a Latino and European classic.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Ruben Studdard American singer and winner of the second season of American Idol
- Ruben Amorim Portuguese football manager and former player
Spelling variants
- Reuben
- Rubén
- Rubin
Names with the same feeling
See Ruben from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Ruben mean?
- A spelling of Reuben, from the Hebrew for 'behold, a son.'
- What does Ruben mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Ruben means "Behold, a son." Ruben is the Spanish and continental spelling of Reuben, from the Hebrew reu ben, 'behold, a son,' the firstborn of Jacob in the Bible. It is a steady classic across Spanish-speaking countries and Northern Europe alike. Painter Peter Paul Rubens carries the surname form. Warm and grounded. Said ROO-ben.
- How do you pronounce Ruben?
- Ruben is pronounced ˈruː.bən. Say it as RU-ben, with the stress on the "ru" syllable.
- How do you spell Ruben?
- The standard spelling is Ruben. Common spelling variants include Reuben, Rubén, Rubin.
- Is Ruben a boy or girl name?
- Ruben is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Ruben?
- Ruben ranked #480 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.