Rue

At a Glance: Name: Rue – Meaning: the rue plant, 'herb of grace'; also English 'rue', meaning regret – Origin: English – Gender: used for both boys and girls – Pronunciation: ROO

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Rue is an English name that comes from the rue plant, known as the 'herb of grace.' It's also an English word meaning regret, so the name carries a garden meaning and a wistful one. If you like a name with a plant behind it and a little depth, Rue offers both.

Meaning & Origin of Rue

Meaning: The rue plant, 'herb of grace'; also English 'rue', meaning regret.

Origin: English.

How to Pronounce Rue

Phonetic: ROO   IPA: /ruː/

Popularity of Rue

Rue's highest U.S. Social Security rank was #1240 in 1896, when 5 babies were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #1241 with 188 babies, just one spot below that peak.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1896–2024.

Make Rue Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Rue, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Percy
• Rae
• Lorena
• Ansel
• Bishop
• Ulysses

FAQ

What does the name Rue mean?

The rue plant, ‘herb of grace’; also English ‘rue’, meaning regret.

How do you pronounce Rue?

Rue is pronounced ROO (IPA: /ruː/).

Is Rue a popular name right now?

Rue is near its all-time peak (#1240 in 1896), ranked #1241 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1896–2024.)

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