UK girl's name
Rubena
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "ruby-like" or "precious gem".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1998. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rubena is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rubena popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1998 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3848, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1996 to 1998. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Rubena. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1999 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rubena ranked #3848 for girls in England and Wales in 1998, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Rubena.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rubena as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3848
1998
Births in 1998
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Rubena mean?
The name Rubena finds its roots in the ancient Germanic languages, with its earliest known origins dating back to the 5th century AD. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "hrūdiz," meaning "famous" or "renowned." This word eventually evolved into various forms across different Germanic dialects, including Old Norse "hrōðr" and Old English "hrōð."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rubena can be found in the Codex Argenteus, a 6th-century manuscript containing a translation of the Bible into Gothic. In this text, the name appears as "Rubaira," likely a variant spelling influenced by the Gothic language.
During the Middle Ages, the name Rubena gained popularity across various regions of Europe, particularly in areas with strong Germanic cultural influences. It was commonly used among the nobility and aristocracy, often given to daughters as a symbol of prestige and renown.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rubena. One of the earliest recorded examples is Rubena of Thuringia (c. 1060-1109), a German noblewoman and benefactress who founded the Benedictine monastery of Saalfeld. Another notable figure was Rubena of Fritzlar (c. 1150-1220), a German mystic and abbess who was venerated for her piety and wisdom.
In the 13th century, Rubena of Cologne (c. 1210-1265) was a prominent Beguine mystic and writer who contributed to the development of the spiritual movement in the Rhineland. Her writings and teachings influenced many religious thinkers of her time.
During the Renaissance period, Rubena Fioravanti (c. 1470-1540) was an Italian painter and miniaturist known for her exquisite illuminated manuscripts and portraits of prominent figures in the court of Milan.
In more recent times, Rubena Hubler (1920-2008) was a German-born American artist and sculptor renowned for her abstract expressionist works and her contributions to the New York art scene in the mid-20th century.
While the name Rubena has seen a decline in popularity in modern times, it remains a unique and historically significant name, carrying with it a rich heritage and associations with fame, renown, and cultural significance across various regions and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rubena over time
The chart below shows babies named Rubena registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 1998. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rubena, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 1998, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rubena by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rubena was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | #3822 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Rubena
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Rubena: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rubena in the UK right now?
In 1998, Rubena was ranked #3848 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rubena most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Rubena in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rubena?
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "ruby-like" or "precious gem".
How many people are called Rubena in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Rubena across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.