Reuven: meaning of the Hebrew name
רְאוּבֵן
Pronounced re-oo-VEN
Meaning of Reuven
Reuven reads as "see, a son!" He was Jacob's firstborn, named by his mother Leah, who said "the Lord has seen my affliction." A name of firstness and thanksgiving.
And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said: ‘Because the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.’
וַתַּהַר לֵאָה וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ רְאוּבֵן כִּי אָמְרָה כִּי־רָאָה יְהֹוָה בְּעׇנְיִי כִּי עַתָּה יֶאֱהָבַנִי אִישִׁי׃
Reuven in Hebrew
Reuven is written ראובן in Hebrew (with vowel points: רְאוּבֵן). Hebrew is read from right to left.
- רResh
- אAlef
- וVav
- בBet
- נNun
Gematria value: 259 (Resh 200 + Alef 1 + Vav 6 + Bet 2 + Nun 50)
About the name
- GenderBoy
- OriginBiblical
- Meaningbehold, a son
- Pronunciationre-oo-VEN
- Hebrewראובן
- Syllables3
Popularity in Israel
Reuven last appeared in Israel's top 150 boys' names in 2020, at #139 (113 babies).
All years 2014-2024
| Year | Rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | - | - |
| 2023 | - | - |
| 2022 | - | - |
| 2021 | - | - |
| 2020 | 139 | 113 |
| 2019 | - | - |
| 2018 | - | - |
| 2017 | - | - |
| 2016 | 149 | 105 |
| 2015 | - | - |
| 2014 | - | - |
Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), first names given to Jewish newborns, 2014-2024. Ranks cover the 150 most common names per year.
Similar names
Questions about Reuven
What does the name Reuven mean?
Reuven reads as "see, a son!" He was Jacob's firstborn, named by his mother Leah, who said "the Lord has seen my affliction." A name of firstness and thanksgiving.
How do you pronounce Reuven?
Reuven is pronounced re-oo-VEN in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Reuven in Hebrew?
Reuven is written ראובן in Hebrew (with vowel points: רְאוּבֵן).
Is Reuven a biblical name?
Yes. Reuven appears in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 29:32.
How popular is the name Reuven in Israel?
Reuven last appeared in Israel's top 150 boys' names in 2020, at #139 (113 babies). Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
What is the gematria of Reuven?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling ראובן adds up to 259 (Resh 200 + Alef 1 + Vav 6 + Bet 2 + Nun 50).
Keep your shortlist in the Shemot app
Meaning, gematria and Israeli popularity for 2,300+ names, and a shared list for couples.
The app's screens and name meanings are in Hebrew. Every name also shows its English spelling.
Get the appGet the appThis name in Hebrew: ראובן