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Ruel

♂ Boy

Pronounced roo-EL /ruˈɛl/Medium

Meaning: A form of Reuel — from Hebrew Re'u'el, 'friend of God' (re'a, 'friend', + El, 'God')Low

In 30 seconds: Friend of God: Ruel is a form of Reuel. Lyrical, devout, and warm (said 'roo-EL').

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Origin LowHebrew

MeaningA form of Reuel — from Hebrew Re'u'el, 'friend of God' (re'a, 'friend', + El, 'God')

U.S. rank (2025)#6377 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1915

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,920

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

Ruel is a form of Reuel — from Hebrew Re'u'el, 'friend of God' (re'a, 'friend', + El, 'God'; a name in Genesis; J.R.R. Tolkien's middle name was Reuel). A lyrical, devout name (said 'roo-EL').

In the U.S. it appears in Christian families. Rare, friend-of-God at the root, and devout.

Did you know? Reuel means 'friend of God' in Hebrew (re'a, 'friend', + El, 'God'; a name in Genesis; Tolkien's middle name) — Ruel is a form, lyrical and devout (said 'roo-EL').

Overall data confidence 46%

References — Reuel — Hebrew etymology

Variations

ReuelRuellRuelle

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Ruel…

Reuel— the standard form

Jewel— a sound-neighbor -uel name

Emanuel— a fellow -uel devout boys' name

Rael— a fellow Hebrew choice

Robel— another Hebrew name

Explore names like Ruel

By themehebrew

By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ruel mean?

Ruel is a form of Reuel — Hebrew 'friend of God'.

How do you pronounce Ruel?

It's said roo-EL /ruˈɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ruel a boy or girl name?

Ruel is a boy's name.

How popular is Ruel?

Ruel is a rare name in the U.S.