Rube

Hebrew

"behold, a son"

Rube Origin and Meaning

The name Rube is a boy's name.

Rube is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Reuben, a Hebrew name meaning 'behold, a son'. Historically, it gained recognition in American culture as a nickname and eventually as a stand-alone name. In the early 20th century, 'Rube' became associated with the cartoon artist Rube Goldberg, known for his illustrations of complicated gadgets. The name has also carried connotations of rural simplicity, as the term 'rube' came to mean a country bumpkin in American slang. Though never extremely popular as a formal given name, it maintains a vintage Americana charm. Its short, straightforward sound gives it an unpretentious quality that might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical character and simplicity.

Rube Rank in US Top 1000

# 922 in the US

Famous People Named Rube

• Reuben Garrett Lucius "Rube" Goldberg American cartoonist
• Richard William "Rube" Marquard American baseball pitcher
• Andrew "Rube" Foster American baseball player

The name Rube in Pop Culture

• Rube Sofer character in Dead Like Me (2003)