UK name, mostly boys
Rui
Of Japanese origin, meaning emerald or precious gem.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rui is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Rui popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1460, with 18 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 25 births.
This profile covers 416 England and Wales registrations across 28 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 72% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 440 living people in the UK are called Rui. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rui ranked #1460 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 18 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 25 boys were registered as Rui.
- • Rui ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #727 in 2024.
- • About 440 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rui as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 93.5% of Rui registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1460
2024
Births in 2024
18
Latest year
Peak year
2004
25 births
Estimated living
440
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Rui
In England and Wales birth records, Rui has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 93.5% of registrations are for boys and 6.5% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Rui registered for boys
- Ranked #1,460 in 2024
- 18 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2004 (25 births)
Rui registered for girls
- Ranked #4,843 in 2024
- 4 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2020 (5 births)
Meaning
What does Rui mean?
The name Rui originated from the Japanese language. It is a masculine given name that can be written using different kanji characters, each with its own meaning. The most common kanji for Rui is 涙, which means "tear" or "teardrop."
Another interpretation of the name Rui comes from the kanji 瑠璃, which refers to a deep blue or green-colored gemstone called lapis lazuli. This gemstone was highly valued in ancient times and was often associated with royalty and the upper classes.
The name Rui is believed to have been in use since the Heian period (794-1185 CE) in Japan. During this time, it was common for Japanese names to be inspired by nature, with many names incorporating elements such as flowers, trees, and celestial bodies.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rui can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient chronicle of Japanese history and mythology from the 8th century CE. In this text, there is a reference to a character named Rui no Sukune, who was said to be a skilled warrior and archer.
Throughout Japanese history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Rui. One of the most famous was Rui Nishi (1718-1804), a renowned calligrapher and painter during the Edo period. His works are highly regarded and can be found in museums and private collections around the world.
Another prominent figure was Rui Taki (1873-1952), a Japanese politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the early 20th century. He played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and agreements with other nations during a turbulent period in Japanese history.
In the realm of literature, Rui Suzuki (1865-1915) was a celebrated novelist and poet who is recognized as one of the pioneers of modern Japanese literature. His works often explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Rui Umezawa (1941-2015) was a renowned Japanese actor who appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout his career. He was known for his versatility and his ability to portray a wide range of characters.
Lastly, Rui Hachisuka (1920-1993) was a prominent Japanese ornithologist and wildlife conservationist. He made significant contributions to the study of birds and worked tirelessly to protect endangered species and their habitats.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rui over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rui in England and Wales, from 1997 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rui, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 18 births in 2024, compared with 25 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rui by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rui 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #1500 | 91 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1523 | 161 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1446 | 133 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1242 | 31 | 3 |
Geography
Where Rui is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Rui. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Rui ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #727 in 2024.
Across the UK
Rui in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#727 in 2024
8 years of NRS records, 27 total registered
Related
Names similar to Rui
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rui: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rui in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rui was ranked #1460 for boys in England and Wales, with 18 births registered.
When was Rui most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 25 babies registered as Rui in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rui?
Of Japanese origin, meaning emerald or precious gem.
How many people are called Rui in the UK?
A total of 416 babies have been registered as Rui across the 28 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 27 more in Scotland.
Where is Rui most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Rui ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #727 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.