Rue
A unisex name of Old English origin, meaning regret or sorrow; also a herb.
Rue by the numbers
In 2025, 50 babies in England and Wales were named Rue. In the US, 50 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given several times more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its best year in America so far is the most recent one on record, which means it was still climbing when the records end.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Rue. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Rue
Names that are said the same way as Rue, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Other names that mean a plant or herb
Like Rue, each of these has a plant or herb in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Brandonbeacon hill or gorse covered hill3,482 in the US (2017)
- Ivythe ivy plant; faithfulness1,698 in England and Wales (2025)
- Hadleyheather field2,726 in the US (2017)
- Juniperthe juniper plant; symbol of protection186 in England and Wales (2025)
- Reedred-haired or one who lives by reeds872 in the US (2017)
- Rosemarydew of the sea; the herb rosemary687 in the US (2017)