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Reuben vs Boaz

Which is more popular?
Reuben is more popular than Boaz today: about 269 US babies were given the name Reuben in 2025, compared with 268 named Boaz.
ReubenBoaz
Meaning behold, a son in him is strength (disputed)
Origin hebrew hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation ROO-ben BOH-az
Syllables 2 2
First appeared18801928
Peak year1920 (465)2025 (268)
In 2025269268
TrendSteadyNear its peak
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Reuben Boaz
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeReubenBoaz
2020s 1,649 1,342
2010s 2,359 1,315
2000s 2,279 477
1990s 2,436 180
1980s 2,759 89
1970s 2,542 57
1960s 2,076 11
1950s 2,193 0
1940s 2,060 0
1930s 2,269 0
1920s 3,860 5
1910s 3,274 0
1900s 820 0
1890s 828 0
1880s 741 0

What does Reuben mean?

Hebrew Re'uven, literally 'behold, a son!' (re'u 'see, behold' + ben 'son'). Genesis 29:32 layers a second biblical wordplay on it: Leah says 'the LORD has looked upon (ra'ah) my affliction' — that play is theological rather than the strict etymology.

What does Boaz mean?

Scholarly readings favor 'in him is strength' or 'in strength,' from be 'in' + oz (root '-z-z, 'to be strong'). An alternative traces it to a root meaning 'swiftness, quickness,' and Martin Noth preferred 'sharp mind.' The name of Ruth's husband and of a pillar of Solomon's Temple. The widespread name-site gloss 'swiftness' is weaker than the 'strength' reading; meaning is debated.

Frequently asked questions

Is Reuben or Boaz more popular?

Reuben is more popular than Boaz today: about 269 US babies were given the name Reuben in 2025, compared with 268 named Boaz.

What is the difference between Reuben and Boaz?

Reuben means behold, a son (hebrew origin), while Boaz means in him is strength (disputed) (hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Reuben or Boaz?

In US records, Reuben first appears in 1880 and Boaz in 1928, so Reuben has the longer recorded history.