Ruben is the Spanish, Dutch and Scandinavian form of Reuben, the Hebrew name that means "behold, a son", the words Leah spoke at the birth of Jacob's firstborn. Spanish speakers stress the first syllable, RU-ben, which is how most American families with the name say it. Ruben ranked number 207 in 2000 and has moved down gradually since, standing at number 480 in 2025.