Reuven

“ראובן: "behold, a son"”

Israel origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#3164US 2023

39Births / yr

↓Falling

853All-time births

📅 Since 195900

How to pronounce Reuven

RAY·YOO·VEE·EN

/ˈreɪ.ˈjuː.ˈviː.ˈɛn/ · stress on RAY · 4 syllables

“ראובן: "behold, a son"”

Israel origin · Boy name

What does Reuven mean and where does it come from?

Reuven (ראובן) is a traditional Hebrew name meaning 'behold, a son.' It is of significant importance in the Jewish faith as it is the name of the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible. Reuven has been traditionally used within Jewish communities for centuries and remains popular. Varia

Cultural significance

Reuven has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Israel-speaking communities, where it reflects values of ראובן: "behold, a son".

Peak popularity

Reached #2341 in 1974 — currently #3164 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Reuven?

Reuven works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Reuven Grace

How popular is Reuven right now?

Falling — down 121 spots — currently #3164 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1970–2023#3164 · Top 2.3%

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#3164	39	▼ down 121 · -5% births
2022	#3043	41	▼ down 140 · -5% births
2021	#2903	43	▼ down 332 · -12% births
2020	#2571	49	▲ up 471 · +29% births
2015	#3042	38	▲ up 1514 · +81% births
2010	#4556	21	▼ down 910 · -19% births
2005	#3646	26	▼ down 545 · -7% births
2000	#3101	28	▲ up 1033 · +87% births
1995	#4134	15	▲ up 1015 · +50% births
1990	#5149	10	▼ down 2125 · -37% births
1985	#3024	16	▲ up 509 · +33% births
1980	#3533	12	▲ up 1622 · +100% births
1975	#5155	6	▼ down 1900 · -40% births
1970	#3255	10	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Reuven

Best Year2020Rank #2571

Peak Count49

Average Rank#3591

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1970 - 202314 years

The story of Reuven

Reuven entered American naming records in 1959 and has been in use for over 65 years. With 853 total births recorded, Reuven remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #3255 in 1970 to #3164 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Reuven in 1974:

Michael Jason Christopher David James

Reuven by decade

Reuven peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1950s	7
1960s	5
1970s	75
1980s	98
1990s	126
2000s	218
2010s ★	275
2020s	49

💎Reuven has only 853 total recorded births since 1959 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Reuven?

ENGLISH

Rube

PORTUGUESE

Rubinho

What names sound and feel like Reuven?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Reuven also consider these

Reuben

Hebrew · behold, a son

American · From the land

Renlen

English · A meaningful name

Reiken

English · wisdom

Reyden

English · Derived from the

How is Reuven written in other languages?

רְאוּבֵן

Hebrew

Common questions about the name Reuven

What does the name Reuven mean?

Reuven means "ראובן: "behold, a son"" — a name rooted in Israel tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Reuven?

Reuven is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Reuven have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Reuven?

Reuven originates from Israel tradition. Israel names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Reuven?

Reuven is a four-syllable name pronounced R EY1 Y UW1 V IY1 EH1 N. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Reuven?

Reuven pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Israel heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.