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).

150100150201420162018202020222024149139
All years 2014-2024
YearRankBabies
2024--
2023--
2022--
2021--
2020139113
2019--
2018--
2017--
2016149105
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.

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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).

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This name in Hebrew: ראובן