The nameRuby
Ruby is an English girl's name taken from the red gemstone. It was one of the most given girls' names in England and Wales in the late 2000s.
- Girl's name
- English
Meaning
Ruby is the gem name, from the Latin rubeus, "red".
Origin
English, one of the jewel names that became popular in the late 19th century.
History
Ruby was in the American top 100 from 1888 to 1945 and again since 2013. In England and Wales it was among the top girls' names in the second half of the 2000s and remains popular.
Did you know?
- In 1960, aged 6, Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to attend an all white school in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals.
Famous people named Ruby
- Ruby Bridges, civil rights figure
- Ruby Dee, actress
- Ruby Rose, actress
- Ruby Wax, comedian
Popularity of the name Ruby
Ruby in the United States
Ruby was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 77,389 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named Ruby. Its rise began around 1894, and it peaked in 1924. Half of all babies named Ruby in the United States were born before 1933, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 3,500 births a year.
Ruby in the United Kingdom
Ruby was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 28,584 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Ruby. Half of all babies named Ruby in the United Kingdom were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,310 births a year on average, against 1,854 in the five years before.
Ruby in Ireland
Ruby in France
Sibling names for Ruby
Names from the same generation as Ruby, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ruby? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ruby with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ruby side by side with the name of your choice.
Ruby in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ruby mean?
Ruby is the gem name, from the Latin rubeus, "red".
What is the origin of the name Ruby?
English, one of the jewel names that became popular in the late 19th century.
Is Ruby a girl's or a boy's name?
Ruby is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Ruby?
In 2024, Ruby was the 63rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 3,517 births.
What are good sibling names for Ruby?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Sadie, Melody, Liliana and Eliza for a sister, Cooper, Parker, Wyatt and Colton for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ruby?
Ruby Bridges, civil rights figure; Ruby Dee, actress; Ruby Rose, actress; Ruby Wax, comedian.