Reuel

♂ Boy

Pronounced ROO-əl /ˈru.əl/Medium

Meaning: From Hebrew Re'u'el, 'friend of God' — a biblical name (and Tolkien's own middle name)High

In 30 seconds: A friend of God: Reuel is the biblical 'friend of God' — and J.R.R. Tolkien's own middle name. Devout, distinctive, and literary.

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningFrom Hebrew Re'u'el, 'friend of God' — a biblical name (and Tolkien's own middle name)

U.S. rank (2025)#3364 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births35 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 957

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Reuel comes from Hebrew Re'u'el, 'friend of God' — a biblical name (Moses' father-in-law, also called Jethro). Tolkien's middle name, it has a quiet literary and devout resonance.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, friend-of-God at the root, and literary.

Did you know? Reuel was J.R.R. Tolkien's middle name (John Ronald Reuel) — a biblical name meaning 'friend of God', borne by Moses' father-in-law.

Overall data confidence 80%

Behind the Name — Reuel — root etymology

Variations

ReuellRaguel

Nicknames

Reu

Famous Bearers

★Reuel Marc Gerecht
American author and former CIA officer who became a prominent commentator on Middle East affairs
★John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973)
British author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit whose middle name Reuel was a family name

If you like Reuel…

Jethro— the other name of the same figure

Gideon— a companion biblical name

Amiel— a fellow 'God of my people' name

Rael— the same biblical feel

Jael— another biblical pick

Explore names like Reuel

By themehebrew biblical literary

By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Reuel mean?

Reuel is Hebrew for 'friend of God'.

How do you pronounce Reuel?

It's said ROO-əl /ˈru.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Reuel a boy or girl name?

Reuel is a boy's name.

How popular is Reuel?

Reuel is a rare name in the U.S.