Ruby

femaleEnglish, ultimately from Latin rubeus ('red')

Taken from the gemstone name; the ruby is the traditional July birthstone. As a given name it came into use in the 16th century.

Origin: English, ultimately from Latin rubeus ('red')

Official popularity data is available for 7 regions, from 1991 to 2025. Highest recorded position: #1 in New Zealand in 2011. See regions.

Ruby: Recorded every year since 1991, it reached #1 in 2007, and it was still inside the top 100 in 2025.

7registrars recorded it
158times a registrar ranked it
35years from first to last
#1highest recorded position
36groupings it qualifies for
47names it appears alongside

What stands out in Ruby's record

Ranked inside the top 10 by 3 registrars, and #1 in 2 of them. Names by top-10 reach
Held a top-100 place for 34 years running. Names by top-100 run
England and Wales registered 4,983 births with the name in 2007, its largest count from any one registrar. Names by yearly birth count
Held at least one birth in every 2,000 for 27 years. Names by sustained share

ROO-bee/ˈruːbi/

See Ruby as a dog name →

Compare Ruby Run Name Checker on Ruby

Data Confidence

Evidence: ModerateCompleteness: SubstantialEditorial review: 2026-07-21

Confidence in the evidencebehind this name's data — never a rating of the name itself, and never affected by how well it matches your preferences. How this is assessed

Because: backed by officially or academically authoritative sources, recently verified, popularity data covers multiple regions.

Source authority

Averaged from the real per-claim source-authority assessments already computed for this name's meaning/origin/pronunciation/popularity evidence.

Independent corroboration

Averaged from the real per-claim supporting-source counts already computed for this name's evidence.

See full evidence assessment (8 dimensions, 1 not yet tracked)

Source agreement

No recorded source disagreement for this name's meanings or origins.

Recency

Calculated from how long ago this record was last verified (2026-07-21), against a 270-day staleness threshold.

Geographic relevance

Calculated from the number of geographies with official popularity data (7) — broader official coverage means the evidence base is relevant to more of where the name is actually used.

Completeness

Calculated from how many of the expected data sections (variants, similar names, popularity, notable usage, IPA pronunciation) are actually populated for this name.

Direct observation vs. inference

Averaged from the real per-claim direct-observation-vs-inference ratios already computed for this name's evidence.

Identity & variant resolution quality

Cross-source identity and variant resolution requires HEKNO Knowledge, which isn't connected yet.

Name Characteristics

How these are calculated

Descriptive attributes of the name itself — not a confidence measurement, and not an overall quality score. Namewise doesn't approve or disapprove of names.

Pronunciation clarity

Editorial judgement of how consistently this name is pronounced correctly on first read, mapped from an easy/moderate/variable rating to a number. Describes the name — not a measure of evidence confidence.

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling: shorter names with fewer irregular letter clusters score higher. A disclosed formula, not an editorial opinion — and not a confidence measurement.

Recorded regional spread

Derived from how many geographies' official statistics record this name. It measures where the name is registered, not how well-known it feels to people living there.

International spread

Derived from the same official statistical coverage, scaled to reflect how widely the name crosses national datasets. Not a measure of how easily it is understood in another language.

Trend stability

Derived from the name's traditional/modern classification and its current popularity trend direction.

Overview

Origin: English, ultimately from Latin rubeus ('red')
Meaning: Taken from the gemstone name; the ruby is the traditional July birthstone. As a given name it came into use in the 16th century.
Pronunciation: ROO-bee
Syllables: 2
Common nicknames: None recorded
Classification: Traditional & modern
Gender usage: female
Language family: English, ultimately from Latin rubeus ('red')

Popularity

Region

Rising

among girls in England and Wales · 1996–2025

View as table

England and Wales · Girls rank by year
Year	Rank
1996	#103
1997	#104
1998	#107
1999	#93
2000	#78
2001	#67
2002	#66
2003	#47
2004	#31
2005	#12
2006	#4
2007	#1
2008	#2
2009	#2
2010	#7
2011	#7
2012	#12
2013	#11
2014	#15
2015	#17
2016	#26
2017	#29
2018	#32
2019	#27
2020	#30
2021	#34
2022	#30
2023	#39
2024	#41
2025	#38

VerifiedSource: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales.Confidence: high.

See all England and Wales names · Source: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales

What the data shows

RisingEngland and Wales · Girls

Recorded in official data among girls in Republic of Ireland in 34 of the 35 years from 1991 to 2025.

In 2025: #28 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, #36 among girls in Republic of Ireland, #38 among girls in England and Wales, #450 among girls in Norway.

Official data from 7 national registrars across 7 regions, 1991–2025 · Office for National Statistics. Data sources

Popularity journey

First recorded1991
First recorded at #515 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1991 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #38 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls

Ruby appears in 6 of the published lists Namewise holds. The longest record is Republic of Ireland · Girls, which has ranked it in 34 years beginning in 1991, and has registered 4,637 births with the name.

Ruby across 6 official records

Each registrar publishes its own list, so these figures are read down a row, never across one. A position in one country is not comparable with a position in another, and Namewise never combines them into a single ranking. The birth counts do not compare across rows either, for a different reason: England and Wales registers roughly thirty times as many births a year as Northern Ireland, so a larger total says which registrar recorded it as much as how widely the name was given.

Ruby's first, highest and most recent recorded position in each official list, with the number of births each registrar registered with the name and its largest single year
Published list	First recorded	Highest	Most recent	Years recorded	Births registered	Most in one year
Republic of Ireland · Girls	#515 (1991)	#16 (2013)	#36 (2025)	34 of 35	4,637 (1991–2025)	353 (2009)
New Zealand · Girls	#85 (1992)	#1 (2011)	#17 (2023)	32 of 32	5,233 (1992–2023)	335 (2011)
England and Wales · Girls	#103 (1996)	#1 (2007)	#38 (2025)	30 of 30	61,553 (1996–2025)	4,983 (2007)
New South Wales, Australia · Girls	#80 (1997)	#2 (2011)	#28 (2025)	29 of 29	8,411 (1997–2025)	600 (2010)
Northern Ireland · Girls	#301 (1998)	#18 (2011)	#38 (2024)	27 of 27	1,757 (1998–2024)	143 (2011)
Norway · Girls	#499 (2022)	#316 (2023)	#450 (2025)	4 of 4	28 (2022–2025)	12 (2023)

Ruby by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Births registered with the name in each decade of this one list, with the number of years the list covers in that decade. Bars are scaled on births a year, which is the figure that compares between decades — a decade the list only partly covers has a smaller total without being a quieter decade. Figures belong to this registrar alone and do not carry to another.

Births registered with Ruby in Republic of Ireland · Girls, by decade, with years covered and the average per year
Decade	Births registered	Years covered	A year
1990s	60	8 of 10	8
2000s	1,288	10 of 10	129
2010sbusiest	2,448	10 of 10	245
2020s	841	6 of 10	140

Across Republic of Ireland · Girls, the 2010s were its busiest decade, averaging 245 births a year.

Its sharpest single-year move came between 2007 and 2008, when recorded births rose by 83, from 222 to 305.

See the names Republic of Irelandhas recorded the most births with →

Ruby appears in

Groupings this name qualifies for under their own stated rules, from the same official statistics shown above.

What the record shows

Recorded by 7 registrars between 1991 and 2025, ranked in 35 years of that period.

Its highest recorded position is #1, first reached in 2007.

It held a top-100 place in 34 years, 34 of them consecutive.

Its largest count from any one registrar is 4,983 births, registered in England and Wales in 2007.

3 registrars ranked it inside their own top 10. It reached #1 in 2 registrars' lists.

A second registrar first ranked it in 1992, and 33 years separate the first registrar to record it from the last.

Every figure here is counted from the seven official registrars Namewise holds. A position is only ever a place within the list that published it, and a record that thins or stops is a fact about what registrars printed — never about how many children received the name.

Ruby was ranked #1 in England and Wales · Girls in 2007. These are the names immediately either side of it on that published list — a fact about the registrar's own output, not a similarity judgement.

Where to go next

Records with a comparable body of evidence, so the catalogue can be read outward from this one. Each group states the rule it was selected by.

Next in the catalogue

The records either side of this one alphabetically.

Rubin · #1234, 28y
Rubina · #1234, 24y
Ruby-Ann · #1741, 20y
Ruby-Leigh · #679, 20y

A comparable record

Records held by the same 7 registrars, over a similar number of ranked years, whose highest position is closest to this one. A similar body of evidence — never a claim that the names themselves are alike.

Freya · #1, 35y
Lily · #1, 36y
Noah · #1, 33y
Ellie · #2, 35y

Also first recorded in the 1990s

Records whose earliest ranking in Namewise's registrar data also falls between 1990 and 1999.

Noah · #1, 33y
Harper · #2, 26y
Alfie · #4, 30y
Cooper · #4, 29y

Comparisons involving Ruby

Existing comparison pages where Ruby and another name were ranked in the same published list, in the same years, on the same scale. Each has its own evidence; none of them says the names are alike.

Longest shared records

Names ranked alongside Ruby in the same published list across at least 25 years.

Ruby vs Stacey
In 1996 they stood at #103 and #97 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #38 and #2138.
Ruby · Stacey · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2025 England and Wales ranking
Ruby vs Charlie
In 1996 they stood at #103 and #113 in England and Wales · Girls, 10 places apart; by 2025 they were #38 and #747.
Ruby · Charlie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2025 England and Wales ranking
Chloe vs Ruby
Chloe and Ruby changed places 15 times in New Zealand · Girls between 1992 and 2023, ending at #23 and #17.
Chloe · Ruby · 30 shared years, 1992–2023 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
See the 2023 New Zealand ranking

Closest long-running positions

Names that stayed close to Ruby within one registrar's list over many years. A gap measured inside that list, never across registrars.

Isabella vs Ruby
Across 29 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Isabella and Ruby averaged 6.1 places apart, ending at #15 and #17.
Isabella · Ruby · 29 shared years, 1995–2023 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2023 New Zealand ranking
Lily vs Ruby
Across 27 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Lily and Ruby averaged 8.3 places apart, ending at #7 and #17.
Lily · Ruby · 27 shared years, 1997–2023 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2023 New Zealand ranking
Ella vs Ruby
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Ella and Ruby averaged 10.4 places apart, ending at #11 and #28.
Ella · Ruby · 28 shared years, 1998–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking

Order changes

Pairs where Ruby and another name exchanged position in a published list, taken as the final meaningful change.

Emma vs Ruby
In 2009, Ruby moved ahead of Emma in New Zealand · Girls — #7 and #13 the year before became #9 and #2.
Emma · Ruby · 32 shared years, 1992–2023 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 2009 New Zealand ranking
Ruby vs Hannah
In 2009, Ruby moved ahead of Hannah in New Zealand · Girls — #13 and #11 the year before became #2 and #19.
Ruby · Hannah · 32 shared years, 1992–2023 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 2009 New Zealand ranking
Jessica vs Ruby
In 2009, Ruby moved ahead of Jessica in New Zealand · Girls — #9 and #13 the year before became #17 and #2.
Jessica · Ruby · 28 shared years, 1992–2019 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 2009 New Zealand ranking

Compared inside England and Wales lists

Pairs involving Ruby measured in England and Wales's own published lists — the registrar that recorded Ruby at its highest position.

Ruby vs Brooke
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Ruby #1 in 2007, Brooke #39 in 2009.
Ruby · Brooke · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
See the 2009 England and Wales ranking
Ruby vs Erin
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Ruby #1 in 2007, Erin #27 in 2007.
Ruby · Erin · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
See the 2007 England and Wales ranking
Ruby vs Evie
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Ruby #1 in 2007, Evie #10 in 2008.
Ruby · Evie · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Peaked in the same years
See the 2008 England and Wales ranking

England and Wales overview→

Ruby and the names beside it

Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale, in the same year, by the same registrar — so these are positions that genuinely passed each other, not a similarity judgement. Drawn from the 2,577 names with a recorded popularity standing (common, familiar, uncommon), so a name outside that set could have passed Ruby without appearing here.

Ruby moved ahead of

Camilla
In 2007 they stood at #523 and #523 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2008 that had become #21 and #501.
Kristine
In 2000 they stood at #450 and #411 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2001 that had become #166 and #606.
Rita
In 1999 they stood at #304 and #304 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2000 that had become #227 and #536.
Tina
In 1997 they stood at #393 and #393 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 1998 that had become #192 and #498.

Moved ahead of Ruby

Éala
In 2024 they stood at #30 and #40 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2025 that had become #36 and #10.
Amelia Compare
In 2011 they stood at #18 and #33 in Northern Ireland · Girls; by 2012 that had become #22 and #4.
Éabha
In 2019 they stood at #28 and #29 in Republic of Ireland · Girls; by 2020 that had become #34 and #16.
Aria Compare
In 2023 they stood at #24 and #33 in Northern Ireland · Girls; by 2024 that had become #38 and #22.

Moved the opposite way to Ruby

Aoife
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 while Aoife went from #4 to #34.
Eileen
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 while Eileen went from #115 to #443.
Elaine
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 while Elaine went from #25 to #608.
Martina
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 while Martina went from #115 to #325.

Moved the same way as Ruby

Alice
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 and Alice from #99 to #41.
Anna Compare
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 and Anna from #62 to #26.
Caoimhe
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 and Caoimhe from #66 to #31.
Chloe Compare
Between 1991 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, Ruby went from #515 to #36 and Chloe from #50 to #22.

Meaning & Origin

Taken from the gemstone name; the ruby is the traditional July birthstone. As a given name it came into use in the 16th century.

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name, Online Etymology Dictionary.Confidence: high.

English, ultimately from Latin rubeus ('red')

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Other names with a researched meaning and origin →

Where Ruby is officially recorded

7 official registrars have recorded Ruby, between 1991 and 2025. Each registrar publishes for its own population on its own methodology, so the positions below are each one country's own ranking and are not comparable with one another.

Registrar	Recorded	Years	Its own highest position
Republic of Ireland	1991–2025	34	#16 in 2013
New Zealand	1992–2023	32	#1 in 2011
England and Wales	1996–2025	30	#1 in 2007
New South Wales, Australia	1997–2025	29	#2 in 2011
Northern Ireland	1998–2024	27	#18 in 2011
Norway	2022–2025	4	#316 in 2023
Scotland	2024	1	#34 in 2024

Its high point came 17 years earlier in England and Wales (2007) than in Scotland (2024).

Variants

No spelling variants or nicknames recorded yet.

Similar Names

No similar names recorded yet for this name.

Similarity is a demonstration score — see methodology.

Spelling

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling — see Name Characteristics above.

No commonly used alternate spellings recorded.

Pronunciation

ROO-bee/ˈruːbi/

Syllables: 2
Ease: easy

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Where Ruby Is Recorded

National statistical agencies have recorded Ruby in these places. This shows where the name is used — not where it comes from, and not that it carries particular cultural significance there.

New South Wales, AustraliaEngland and WalesNorthern IrelandScotlandRepublic of IrelandNorwayNew Zealand

Notable Usage

No safely-sourced notable usage recorded for this name yet.

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Preview with a surname

Entirely local — nothing you type here is saved or sent anywhere.

Full sibling-set and initials-across-a-shortlist matching is a planned premium feature — see Premium.

Ruby

Ruby at a glance

What stands out in Ruby's record

Overview

Popularity

What the data shows

Popularity journey

Ruby across 6 official records

Ruby by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Ruby appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Ruby

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1990s

Comparisons involving Ruby

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside England and Wales lists

Ruby and the names beside it

Ruby moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Ruby

Moved the opposite way to Ruby

Moved the same way as Ruby

Meaning & Origin

Where Ruby is officially recorded

Variants

Similar Names

Spelling

Pronunciation

Where Ruby Is Recorded

Notable Usage

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Ruby at a glance

What stands out in Ruby's record

Ruby across 6 official records

Ruby by decade in Republic of Ireland · Girls

Ruby appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Ruby

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1990s

Comparisons involving Ruby

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside England and Wales lists

Ruby and the names beside it

Ruby moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Ruby

Moved the opposite way to Ruby

Moved the same way as Ruby