An Old Testament name with a vintage feel, Reuben may be the overlooked gem you’ve been searching for.
Thanks to Emily for suggesting today’s Baby Name of the Day.
Behold
If you know the Old Testament, you’ll recognize Reuben as Jacob and Leah’s eldest son. The most commonly cited meaning of the name is “behold, a son.”
Biblical accounts describe tension between Reuben and his father over Bilhah, a servant in their household; some versions portray a more nuanced conflict and offer different interpretations of Jacob’s later renunciation of Reuben. Regardless, Reuben is traditionally counted as the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Like many Old Testament names, Reuben was uncommon among English-speaking Christian families until the Protestant Reformation revived interest in biblical names.
Princes
In medieval Armenia the name took on a regal cast as Rouben, Roupen, or Rupen. The first Roupen asserted independence from the Byzantine Empire and became Lord of the Mountains, founding a principality in Cilicia where his followers sought refuge from the Seljuk Turks.
Three rulers named Roupen reigned between roughly 1080 and the 1180s, and the name remained associated with regional dynasties. While those princes don’t have the same instant royal connotation as some European dynasties, the name’s aristocratic history is real.
Ruben
The Spanish form drops the first “e.” Ruben is also common in Swedish, French, and many other European languages.
In the United States, Ruben has appeared in the Top 1000 continuously since records began in 1880, often rising into the Top 200. The spelling Reuben, with the extra vowel, was more popular in the late nineteenth century but has trailed Ruben for many years: as of 2018 Reuben ranked around #927 while Ruben sat near #415.
Sandwich
The sandwich named for Reuben may have influenced perceptions of the name. The classic Reuben sandwich—corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye, grilled until hot—is iconic. Some attribute its invention to Omaha grocer Reuben Kulakofsky; others credit Reuben’s Deli in New York City.
Like the BLT or patty melt, the Reuben sandwich is widely known even by people who rarely visit delis. Still, culinary associations rarely sink a name: the Rachel sandwich (pastrami and coleslaw) hasn’t kept the name Rachel from climbing the charts.
Other Than …
Outside of deli counters, many notable figures have borne the name. Cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg and a former New York governor are among them. In literature and film, John Wayne’s True Grit character Rooster Cogburn is given the first name Reuben. The name also appears in television and film characters across different eras.
As a surname, variants like Rubens bring additional recognition: the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens remains a household name centuries after his death and is closely associated with the Baroque era. Actors, athletes, and historical figures also appear in the name’s wide roster.
Ben
The gradual shift toward the Ruben spelling may be one reason Reuben feels less common today. Yet parents attracted to the strong short form “Ben” have renewed reason to consider Reuben or Ruben: Benjamin remains a Top Ten name in the U.S., and other Ben- names such as Bennett and Bentley have been popular recently.
Reuben offers a distinctive path to a familiar, punchy nickname.
Ruby and Rupert
The name’s history also overlaps with other roots. Some Rubens, Rubins, or Rubens forms derive from a pet form of the Germanic Rupert, itself related to Robert. In other cases, the surname may trace to Old French rubi and Italian rubino—words for the gemstone ruby—suggesting either an occupational origin (a jeweler) or an affectionate form meaning something precious.
That association with a gemstone is appealing and gives the name an added layer of meaning.
Overall, Reuben—whether spelled with or without the initial “e”—strikes a pleasing balance: familiar but underused, international when spelled Ruben, and distinctly vintage with the fuller Reuben. Its biblical origins, possible gemstone connection, and straightforward nickname options make it a versatile and attractive choice.
Do you prefer Ruben or Reuben? Have you met anyone with this name?