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Rui

Boy name · 27 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Rui: 27 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2022.

Rui arrives in Scotland through two distinct cultural streams: as a Portuguese and Galician short form of Rodrigo, which traces back to the Germanic Hrodric meaning “famous power,” and in Japanese it can be written with kanji for “ivy” or “tears,” giving it a separate, poetic resonance. The Portuguese connection brings famous bearers such as Rui Costa, the celebrated midfielder who shone for Benfica, Fiorentina and the Portuguese national team, while Rui Hachimura, the Japanese basketball forward who plays in the NBA, represents the name’s modern global reach. Though no major places share the name directly, the root of Rodrigo also gave rise to the Spanish city of Roda de Isábena. A further note: in Scotland, Rui is sometimes mistaken for the Gaelic Ruairidh (anglicised as Rory), but its soft two-syllable sound and multicultural appeal have made it a fresh, cross‑border choice for parents seeking something short and internationally recognisable.