Alternatives to Ruby
- Robby
Origin:
Diminutive of Roberta, English from GermanMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Roberta and Robert may be so far out they're...still out, but Robby might make one of the trendy new boyish nicknames for girls a la Scottie and Charlie.
- Romy
Origin:
Diminutive of Rosemary, Roma, Romana, Romilly etc.Description:
Austrian actress Romy Schneider seemed to be the singular bearer of this international nickname name until it found new style currency in the past decade.
- Rory
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red king"Description:
Rory is a buoyant, spirited name for a redhead with Celtic roots. The name Rory is getting more popular overall, but for the past few years has been trending decidedly toward the boys' side -- however, it's been rising to new heights for girls in recent years.
- Rose
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"rose, a flower"Description:
Rose is derived from the Latin rosa, which referred to the flower. There is also evidence to suggest it was a Norman variation of the Germanic name Hrodohaidis, meaning "famous type," and also Hros, "horse". In Old English it was translated as Roese and Rohese.
- Rosemary
Origin:
Latin or EnglishMeaning:
"dew of the sea, or rosemary (herb)"Description:
Despite appearances, Rosemary is not a "smoosh" name, not even a traditional one. The name derives from two Latin terms "Ros" meaning ‘dew’ and "Marinus" "meaning "of the sea". The plant was termed ‘dew of the sea’ due to its salty texture and its ability to thrive in coastal climes. Only after the Middle Ages did the English names of Rose and Mary become interchanged with the name Rosmarinus and give us the modern name we use today.
- Rosie
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"rose"Description:
Rosy-cheeked and cheery, Rosie (also spelled Rosy) has been standing on her own for many decades, back to the days of 1943 musical Sweet Rosie O'Grady. She's one of the perky nickname-names that are filling the popularity lists of other English-speaking countries. In the US, she came back to the Top 1000 in 2013, after a 30 year hiatus. In 2023, Rosie was one of the fastest rising girl names.
- Rowan
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"rowan tree; little redhead"Description:
Stylish, gentle, and rustic at the same time, Rowan is a name that falls into various categories. Unisex and cool, mystical and woodsy, with the feel of both Rose and Riley, Rowan is a fresh but familiar choice.
- Rowen
Origin:
Spelling variation of Rowan, Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"rowan tree; little redhead"Description:
With its soft sounds, its unisex appeal, and its nature connection, Rowan has become a very popular name for both boys and girls, given to nearly four boys for every girl. The Rowen variation maintains the same gender split but is much less popular for both sexes, with nearly four times as many babies named Rowan as Rowen.
- Rua
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red"Description:
This Anglicized form of the Irish Ruadh is traditionally male, but has a unisex feel — in fact, Rua was given to a handful of girls in recent years, but not enough boys to make the charts.
- Rubani
Origin:
PunjabiMeaning:
"soul of Holy Book"Description:
One of the most intriguing Punjabi girl names, bringing with it an easy path to the stylish nickname Ruby, as well as the very on-trend rhythmic "-ani" ending.
- Rubbie
Description:
Rubbie is a charming feminine name that likely evolved as a diminutive or variant of Ruby, which comes from the Latin 'ruber' meaning 'red' and refers to the precious gemstone. This spelling variation adds a distinctive touch to the classic gem name. Rubbie has a warm, friendly quality with vintage appeal, reminiscent of nicknames popular in the early 20th century. While much rarer than Ruby (which has enjoyed significant popularity in recent decades), Rubbie offers the same associations with warmth, passion, and precious value. The double 'b' gives it a playful, affectionate quality that might appeal to parents seeking something familiar yet uncommon.
- Rubetta
Description:
Rubetta is an uncommon feminine name that likely developed as a diminutive form of Ruby or other names containing the element 'rub-'. With Latin origins, it connects to 'ruber' meaning 'red,' the same root that gives us the gemstone name Ruby. The suffix '-etta' adds a delicate, feminine quality typical of Italian diminutives. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, Rubetta has a melodious, romantic sound that evokes the rich red color of its namesake gemstone. The name carries associations of value, warmth, and passion traditionally connected with rubies. Its rarity makes it an intriguing option for parents seeking a name with the familiar appeal of Ruby but with a distinctive European flair.
- Rubette
Description:
Rubette is a delicate feminine name that likely originated as a diminutive form of Ruby or other ruby-related names. The suffix '-ette' adds a French-inspired touch, conveying smallness and endearment. The name evokes the rich red gemstone ruby, symbolizing passion, protection, and prosperity across many cultures. Though exceedingly rare in usage, Rubette combines the familiar appeal of gem names with a unique, slightly ornate quality. The name carries a vintage charm reminiscent of early 20th century naming styles, yet sounds distinctive to modern ears. For parents seeking something both precious and uncommon, Rubette offers a melodic alternative to more popular gemstone names.
- Rubi
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese, JapaneseMeaning:
"ruby; precious gemstone, lapis lazuli + beautiful"Description:
The Spanish and Portuguese form of popular Ruby is another addition to the list of attractive gem names for girls, that might sometimes be used by English speaking parents who want their child's name to stand out when written down. Rubi is also of Japanese origin, and associated with another gemstone: the lapis lazuli.
- Rubina
Description:
Rubina is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It derives from the Latin word 'rubinus,' meaning 'ruby,' referring to the precious red gemstone. The name has particular popularity in Italy, India, and Pakistan, where it carries slightly different cultural connotations while maintaining its connection to the gemstone. In Indian and Pakistani communities, it is sometimes considered a Muslim name meaning 'ruby-like' or 'precious stone.' Rubina has a romantic, jewel-like quality with its flowing syllables and connection to the vibrant red ruby. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, the name has maintained steady, modest usage over decades, appreciated for its elegant sound and meaningful connection to a treasured gemstone.
- Rubinia
Description:
Rubinia is a feminine name with botanical connections, likely derived from the Latin 'rubinus' meaning 'ruby-colored' or possibly relating to the Robinia tree (commonly known as Black Locust). The name carries a romantic, vintage quality with its flowing syllables and nature-inspired origins. While uncommon in mainstream usage, Rubinia appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with classical roots and an elegant sound. The name's similarity to the gemstone ruby gives it associations with deep red color, passion, and value. Rubinia offers multiple nickname possibilities including Ruby, Bini, or Nia. Though rare in contemporary usage, it fits with the trend toward reviving elaborate Victorian-era names and nature-inspired choices with an artistic flair.
- Rubye
Origin:
Variation of Ruby, LatinMeaning:
"deep red precious stone"Description:
A spelling alternative of Ruby that ranked in the US Top 1000 in the early 20th century. It peaked in 1909 when it reached #372 on the charts. It mostly dropped out of use in the 50s, though at least 8 girls were given this spelling in 2023. Notably borne by actress Ruby De Remer, there's a good chance those unfamiliar with it would pronounce it roo-BYE instead of ROO-bee.
- Rubyna
Description:
Rubyna is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Ruby, with possible influences from names like Rubina. The name derives from the precious gemstone ruby, which comes from the Latin 'ruber' meaning red. This alternative spelling with the 'na' ending gives the name a more elaborate, ornate quality while maintaining the connection to the vibrant red gemstone symbolizing passion and vitality. Rubyna is quite uncommon, offering a distinctive choice for parents who appreciate the familiar Ruby but desire something more unique. The name carries connotations of value, beauty, and warmth associated with its gemstone origins. Though rare in contemporary usage, Rubyna has a melodic quality that blends vintage charm with an exotic flair.
- Rubyr
Description:
Rubyr appears to be an unusual variant of the name Ruby, which comes from the Latin 'ruber' meaning 'red,' referring to the precious gemstone. The unconventional spelling with the added 'r' gives this feminine name a unique twist while maintaining the association with the valuable red gem that symbolizes passion, protection, and prosperity. Ruby itself has been popular throughout the English-speaking world since the Victorian era when gemstone names came into fashion. Rubyr is exceedingly rare, likely representing a creative spelling variation created by parents seeking individuality for their daughter while maintaining the beautiful meaning and sound of the traditional Ruby.
- Rudy
Origin:
German, short form of RudolphMeaning:
"famous wolf"Description:
Rudy hasn't yet enjoyed the comeback of cousin name Ruby, despite having been chosen by hip couple Sadie Frost and Jude Law, but it still could happen.