Rui

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROO-ee /ˈruː.i/Medium

Meaning: A Japanese name Rui, whose meaning shifts with the characters - 'a kind of gem; lapis; tears; to accumulate' among readings. Also a Portuguese boys' name (from Rodrigo). Routes vary.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft Japanese name: Rui shifts by character - 'a gem; tears' among readings (said 'ROO-ee'). Routes vary.

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Origin LowJapanese

MeaningA Japanese name Rui, whose meaning shifts with the characters - 'a kind of gem; lapis; tears; to accumulate' among readings. Also a Portuguese boys' name (from Rodrigo). Routes vary.

U.S. rank (2025)#9981 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 85

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

Rui reads across cultures: a Japanese name of shifting meaning, and separately a Portuguese boys' name from Rodrigo. Here it's a girl's name; routes vary, which we note - rare in the U.S. (said 'ROO-ee').

It appears rarely in U.S. data, across cultures. Rare, soft, and cross-cultural.

Did you know? Rui is a Japanese name whose meaning depends on the characters - 'a gem; lapis; tears; to accumulate' among readings - and also a Portuguese boys' name, so its routes vary, which we note (said 'ROO-ee').

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Rui — Japanese name (meaning by character); Portuguese boys' name; routes vary

Variations

RueRuikoRuy

Nicknames

RuiRu

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rui…

Emi— a like short Japanese name

Yui— a like soft Japanese pick

Mei— a like brief Japanese name

Eri— shares Rui's Japanese roots

Umi— another Japanese name

Explore names like Rui

By themeuncertain short japanese cross-cultural

By meaningJewel / Gem Gentle / Kind

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rui mean?

Rui is a Japanese name whose meaning shifts with the characters - 'a gem; tears; to accumulate' among readings. Routes vary, which we note.

How do you pronounce Rui?

It's said ROO-ee /ˈruː.i/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rui a boy or girl name?

Rui is used here as a girl's name; it is also a Portuguese boys' name - we note the cross-use.

How popular is Rui?

Rui is a rare name in the U.S.