What Does the Name Ruben Mean?
Ruben is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “behold, a son.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Ruben |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | behold, a son |
| Variants | Reuben, Reuven, Rubén, Ruwen |
| Popularity | Common across the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Spain, and Latin America; 'Reuben' is the usual English spelling. |
The meaning and origin of Ruben
The name Ruben means “behold, a son” and has Hebrew origins. A spelling variant of the Hebrew 'Reuven', meaning 'behold, a son'; in the Bible the eldest son of Jacob and Leah. The 'Ruben' form is standard in Dutch, Spanish, German, and Scandinavian languages.
Variants and related names
Ruben is related to several other names you may recognize: Reuben, Reuven, Rubén, Ruwen. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Ruben?
Common across the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Spain, and Latin America; 'Reuben' is the usual English spelling.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ruben mean?+
The name Ruben means “behold, a son” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Ruben?+
Ruben originates from Hebrew.
Is Ruben a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Ruben has trended in the US over time.
Ruben by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press