boys' name · peaked 1921

Rueben

Every Rueben since 1886 — 4,871 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.030.050.080.118801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1911Boys
Rank 2025
#3,929
among boys
Babies in 2025
28
named Rueben
Peak year
1921
72 babies
All-time total
4,871
since 1886

The story of Rueben

Rueben is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,929 in 2025 with 28 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1886, 4,871 American babies have been named Rueben. Its peak came in 1921, when 72 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Rueben stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Rueben year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 28 #3,929
2024 17 #5,611
2023 24 #4,439
2022 30 #3,756
2021 25 #4,210
2020 14 #6,223
2019 34 #3,415
2018 27 #3,977
2017 29 #3,752
2016 22 #4,587
2015 26 #4,053
2014 30 #3,601
2013 29 #3,643
2012 36 #3,158
2011 22 #4,477
2010 22 #4,492
2009 39 #3,033
2008 40 #2,996
2007 37 #3,125
2006 23 #4,196
2005 29 #3,436
2004 47 #2,412
2003 39 #2,613
2002 33 #2,873
2001 60 #1,864
2000 44 #2,246
1995 47 #1,859
1990 72 #1,315
1985 46 #1,475
1980 66 #1,121
1975 58 #1,112
1970 47 #1,218
1965 44 #1,140
1960 49 #1,130
1955 40 #1,194
1950 40 #1,137
1945 25 #1,344
1940 23 #1,428
1935 33 #1,161
1930 48 #989
1925 53 #931
1920 51 #971
1915 50 #876
1910 9 #1,183
1905 7 #1,073
1900
1895 6 #1,064
1890 7 #869
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Rueben in 2025?

Rueben ranked #3,929 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 28 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Rueben?

4,871 babies have been named Rueben in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Rueben most popular?

Rueben peaked in 1921, when 72 newborns received the name.

Is Rueben a boy or girl name?

Rueben is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Rueben rising or falling?

Rueben has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Rueben

Compare Rueben with similar names →