Ruben

Origin and meaning of Ruben

Ruben comes from the Hebrew Re'uven, usually understood as 'behold, a son' or 'God has seen my affliction.' In the Bible he is Jacob's firstborn and founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It is common among Jews and Christians, especially popular in the Hispanic and Portuguese worlds (Rubén, Rúben) and well established in Germany and Italy. Biblical in flavour yet fresh and current in sound, it conveys solidity, roots and an easy-going simplicity.

Variants around the world

How Ruben sounds in other languages.

Famous people

• Rubén Darío— poet