Girl name · Latin
Ruby
“deep red gemstone, precious jewel”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Ruby.
Explore Ruby further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Ruby — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Ruby is Latin rubeus, red, by way of the gemstone. It belongs to the Victorian jewel-name set with Pearl, Opal and Beryl, all of which arrived together in the 1880s as parents reached past flowers for something harder.
It was a US top-25 name around 1910, disappeared for fifty years, and came back completely — it is now number 64 in the US and considerably higher in Britain and Australia, where it has been top-20.
Rue is the short form that reads as a separate name. Two syllables want two or three (Ruby Josephine, Ruby Marguerite). On our vibe map it is Vintage Elegant with a Boho warmth.
More Latin names
Ruby sits in our Latin set — these share its roots.
All Latin names →Ruby — common questions
Is Ruby a boy or girl name?
Ruby is traditionally a girl name of Latin origin.
What does the name Ruby mean?
Ruby means “deep red gemstone, precious jewel” of Latin origin. Ruby is Latin rubeus, red, by way of the gemstone. It belongs to the Victorian jewel-name set with Pearl, Opal and Beryl, all of which arrived together in the 1880s as parents reached past flowers for something harder.
Where does the name Ruby come from?
Ruby is Latin in origin. It was a US top-25 name around 1910, disappeared for fifty years, and came back completely — it is now number 64 in the US and considerably higher in Britain and Australia, where it has been top-20.
What are common nicknames for Ruby?
Rue and Rubes — the short-forms parents most often use for Ruby.
How popular is Ruby?
Ruby did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Ruby you might want for the nursery.