Rue

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROO /ruː/High

Meaning: The rue herb (Ruta graveolens); or sorrow, regret; from Old French rue and Latin ruta (the bitter medicinal herb); also a street (French: street)High

In 30 seconds: A one-syllable name with multiple resonances: the rue herb (bitter medicinal plant), 'to rue' meaning to feel regret, and the French word for street. Boosted by the beloved character Rue in The Hunger Games (2008) and the TV series Euphoria.

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Origin HighEnglish, French

MeaningThe rue herb (Ruta graveolens); or sorrow, regret; from Old French rue and Latin ruta (the bitter medicinal herb); also a street (French: street)

U.S. rank (2025)#1324 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births169 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,564

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

Rue comes from Old French rue and Latin ruta (the bitter herb Ruta graveolens). The same word in French means 'street.' The English verb 'to rue' (to regret) comes from the same plant association. As a given name it has been used since at least the 19th century.

Rue ranked #1241 for girls in 2024, boosted by The Hunger Games and Euphoria.

Did you know? Rue in Shakespeare's Hamlet (Act 4) — 'There's rue for you, and here's some for me. We may call it herb of grace o' Sundays.' Ophelia distributes herbs symbolically; rue, the plant of bitterness and repentance, she keeps for herself.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Rue — Old French/Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RouxRoo

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Rue McClanahan (1934-2010)
American actress best known as Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls and Vivian on Maude. Her stage name Rue came from her mother's middle name.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rue mean?

Rue means the rue herb (Ruta graveolens, a bitter medicinal plant) or 'sorrow/regret,' from Old French rue and Latin ruta.

How do you pronounce Rue?

It's said ROO — one syllable, rhyming with 'blue.'

Is Rue a boy or girl name?

Rue is used primarily as a girls' name.

How popular is Rue?

Rue ranked #1241 for U.S. girls in 2024.