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Feminine

Ruby

ˈru.bi

Red gemstone

LatinEnglish

How to say it

RU · by

ˈru.bi

What it means

From the Latin rubeus ('red'), via the gemstone. One of the late-Victorian gem names (Ruby, Pearl, Opal) that came back hard in the 2000s.

Ruby is straight from the gemstone, which takes its name from the Latin rubeus ('red'). Like Pearl and Opal, it caught on as a girl's name in the late 19th century when gem and flower names were having their moment. Ruby Bridges, who at six years old desegregated a New Orleans elementary school in 1960, gave the name a civil-rights anchor in living memory. It crashed in the mid-20th century, returned with the broader vintage revival, and has been in the US top 100 since 2013. Rarely shortens.

How to spell Ruby

The standard spelling is Ruby. Common variants include Rubi, Rubina, but Ruby is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1 #40118802025

peaked at #22 in 1911, currently #64 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

  • Pop culture

    Ruby Bridges, who at six years old desegregated a New Orleans elementary school in 1960, is the strongest historical association. The Norman Rockwell painting of her walk to school is the indelible image.

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.

  • Ruby Bridges First Black child to integrate an all-white New Orleans elementary school
  • Ruby Dee Actress and civil-rights activist, A Raisin in the Sun
  • Jack Ruby Nightclub owner who shot Lee Harvey Oswald (Ruby as surname)

Spelling variants

  • Rubi
  • Rubina

Common questions

What does the name Ruby mean?
From the Latin rubeus ('red'), via the gemstone. One of the late-Victorian gem names (Ruby, Pearl, Opal) that came back hard in the 2000s.
What does Ruby mean in Latin?
In Latin, Ruby means "Red gemstone." Ruby is straight from the gemstone, which takes its name from the Latin rubeus ('red'). Like Pearl and Opal, it caught on as a girl's name in the late 19th century when gem and flower names were having their moment. Ruby Bridges, who at six years old desegregated a New Orleans elementary school in 1960, gave the name a civil-rights anchor in living memory. It crashed in the mid-20th century, returned with the broader vintage revival, and has been in the US top 100 since 2013. Rarely shortens.
How do you pronounce Ruby?
Ruby is pronounced ˈru.bi. Say it as RU-by, with the stress on the "ru" syllable.
How do you spell Ruby?
The standard spelling is Ruby. Common spelling variants include Rubi, Rubina.
Is Ruby a boy or girl name?
Ruby is traditionally a feminine name.
How popular is the name Ruby?
Ruby ranked #64 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.