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Rubie

Girl name · 11 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Rubie: 11 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 5 births in 2013.

Rubie is a charming diminutive of Ruby, drawn directly from the precious red gemstone, a name that first entered English use in the Victorian era as part of the fashion for jewel-inspired names, ultimately stemming from the Latin *ruber* meaning "red." Its most famous bearer is the fictional Rubie Dearborn, a character in John Steinbeck’s novel *East of Eden*, though the name remains far less common than its parent. The gemstone itself shares its etymological root with the element rubidium, so called for the red lines in its spectrum, but no major places bear the name directly. A sparkling alternative to Ruby, Rubie adds a vintage, slightly whimsical touch while retaining the warmth and fire of the original.