The name Ruby is a boy's name meaning "behold, a son".

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Ruby could be a short form of the Biblical name Reuben and especially its streamlined form, Ruben. As a gemstone name, it's currently enjoying a fresh boom of popularity for girls – nearing the US Top 50 for the first time in almost a century. 
Despite its two waves of popularity for girls, it has been occasionally used for boys since the 1890s. Since Ruby re-entered the US Top 100 for girls in 2011, nearly 70 boys have been bestowed the name.
 
While Ruby isn't likely to become a (statistically) unisex name just yet, as softer options like True, Ari, Robin, Casey, Alby, and Tatum come into style, perhaps a few more parents will consider it?

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The name Ruby peaked for boys at #430 in 1906. Ruby is also used for girls, ranking #64 in 2025.

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The name Ruby is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "deep red precious stone".

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Vibrant, sassy, and bubbly, Ruby is a vintage gem that hasn't lost any of its sparkle. Currently popular in a number of English-speaking countries, Ruby is proof of the 100 Year Rule, trending again for the first time since its heyday in the 1910s.
 
The name of a precious stone, Ruby was ultimately derived from the Latin ruber meaning "red". Despite its sweet, shiny contemporary feel, Ruby has in fact been used as a given name since the 1500s, though it really took off in the Victorian era, alongside Pearl and Opal.
 
Many cultures consider rubies to be the stone of kings, and the gem is surrounded by symbolism of wealth, power, lifeblood, success, and protection. It is also the birthstone for July, which could make it a discreet honor for a July-born relation or just right for a July-born baby.
 
In the US, Ruby was a popular choice in the early 20th century, and it peaked at Number 22 in 1911. By the 1940s, however, it was falling down the charts, and while it never left the Top 400, parents turned away from Ruby and to the likes of Judy, Crystal, Rebecca, and Robin instead.
 
Then, in the mid-2000s, Ruby made big moves in the UK, leaping to Number 1 in 2007. Propelled upwards by the catchy song by The Kaiser Chiefs which was released the same year and influenced by celebs such as Tobey Maguire and Charlotte Church choosing it for their daughters, Ruby moved back into the US Top 100 in 2013.
 
A truly musical name, Ruby has featured in hits by The Rolling Stones, Cat Stevens, and Kenny Rogers, while namesakes of the fictional and famous variety including Rue from "Euphoria", Ruby from "Steven Universe", and Ruby Rose of "Orange is the New Black", have kept the name in the public eye.
 
Given to more than 3000 babies in the US every year and continuing to climb the charts, Ruby is one of those <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/339/vintage-baby-names">vintage baby names</a> that feels totally modern and full of life.
 
Love Ruby but want to beat the trends? You could try another vintage gem like Edith, Lula, Twila, Betsy, or Fern, or perhaps something with a similar sound, like Thisbe, Prue, Billie, or Rumi.

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The name Ruby is currently ranked #64 in U.S. births. and peaked for girls at #22 in 1911. The name is most popular in RUBY, RUBY, and RUBY. Ruby is occasionally used for boys in 2025.

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
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2020	—	0	0
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2023	—	0	0
2024	—	0	0
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