I love love the name [name_u]Rue[/name_u], particularly as a middle name & it goes beautifully with my top choice.
However, I struggle with the meaning, just because it is so melancholy. I have ruled out many other names for not liking the meaning, most of which did not have as negative a meaning as “regret”.
I am wondering if any nameberries have used this beautiful name, and/or whether anyone can offer any positive twists or alternative interpretations they take from the meaning so that I don’t have to strike it off my list!
I don’t think this should stop you, [name_u]Rue[/name_u] is so sweet!
Anyway, if you spell it Roo, it will be very [name_u]Baby[/name_u] Roo and thus happy and cheerful. Or you can use it as a nickname for any R name.
Yes don’t think I could get away with Roo living in Australia! 
I love the name [name_u]Rue[/name_u] but I do hesitate over the meaning–and I don’t usually give much thought to meaning. I am following this with interest!
I don’t think it’s a huge issue as there are many names with bad meanings that are still very popular. A lot of people don’t even pay attention to meaning so (unless you tell them) they won’t even know it means regret. It also means ‘street’ in [name_m]French[/name_m] so you could try to associate it with that meaning instead but if it still bothers you then what about [name_u]Roux[/name_u]? It’s pronounced the same and doesn’t have a negative meaning (and is more usable in Australia!). I hope this helped!
I also love [name_u]Rue[/name_u] and struggle with the meaning. I think it just depends what your first association is. When I hear [name_u]Rue[/name_u] I think of the wildflower and little Roo in [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] the Pooh. The phrase “to rue the day” seems sort of outdated and not my first thought.
I don’t think the meaning should affect your choice! But if it bothers you, you could also use [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] as a middle. Also, I will second that [name_u]Rue[/name_u] means street in [name_m]French[/name_m], if that helps!
It’s a beautiful name and you’ll regret it if you don’t use it (haha, see what I did there?
Jokes aside, it’s a stunning name, very easy to spell and pronounce yet unique. I like it!
It’s my daughters middle name, she was actually given it after Roo in winnie the pooh as that’s what my son called her when she was in my tummy, we preferred the [name_u]Rue[/name_u] spelling though.
I would be surprised if anyone we knew actually knew the meaning of the name. I think sometimes we have to remember that not everyone is as into names as us lot on this forum and certainly most people I know would choose a name and be unaware of the meaning. So if you love it go for it!
I adore [name_u]Rue[/name_u]. It’s my favourite name for a boy (well, as a nickname for [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]). I’m thinking of spelling it either Roo and Ru to get around the meaning.
[name_u]Rue[/name_u] is super cute and very on trend at the moment.
I don’t like it. This is an actual dictionary word with a negative meaning.
Call me crazy but I didn’t know that [name_u]Rue[/name_u] meant “regret”, and I have a baby boy who is a [name_m]Rupert[/name_m] called [name_u]Rue[/name_u]! For me it was always the association with the rue plant. I also love that the spelling brings to mind (at least to me) the charming old rues of [name_m]New[/name_m] Orleans or [name_u]Paris[/name_u] and in sound to the darling Roo from the [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] the Pooh series (son of Kanga, anyone?). One syllable, just three little letters and so many associations, not something I think you should worry in any way about.
Oh shit now that you mentioned it… [name_m]Just[/name_m] looked up some sentences with rue in it and yeah. Still wont deter me from [name_u]Rue[/name_u] though and neither should it you, OP.
For a positive spin, the herb rue could be associated with protection or strength (though it is also associated with regret):
In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the only animal that could kill the deadly monstrous basilisk was the weasel. In killing the basilisk, though, the weasel would die. At least one writer mentions that the weasel could survive the fight only if it eats rue first.*
I’ve also read that rue was the only plant the basilisk didn’t wither with it’s breath but, though the withering is mentioned in mediaeval texts, I don’t know of a mediaeval or ancient source for rue being immune (though it makes sense that it might be).
[name_u]Rue[/name_u] has also been used for medicinal purposes (though you might want to read up on that a bit - it’s quite potent, so it has dangers as well as benefits).
*Bartholomaeus Anglicus (in the 13th-century book De Proprietatibus Rerum)
A dear friend used this middle name for her daughter, spelled it Rhue.
We thought about [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] for this baby with the nickname Roo/[name_u]Rue[/name_u]. I would have probably used Roo as the nickname instead of [name_u]Rue[/name_u] though because it is a negative word. And in English too. I’m a tiny bit superstitious about names too, I think.
Yes, exactly! It is not just the name meaning, but an actual dictionary word that means regret and is used in that context in some common phrases etc. Therefore even people who didnt know the meanings behind names (which I agree with other posters is many people) others may still recognise the word rue and know the meaning.
Thank you for all the interesting replies though and botanical references! I think I may steer clear just because I can’t separate it from the meaning, but I could try Rhue maybe!
I also like this name, but can’t get over the meaning. [name_m]How[/name_m] about spelling it Rou? I think that spelling works because of names like [name_u]Lou[/name_u].
I like the name [name_u]Rue[/name_u].
I don’t think about the definition, but I do hear the lyrics to [name_u]Love[/name_u] Potion No 9:
“I took my troubles down to Madame [name_u]Rue[/name_u]
You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth…”
I also think of [name_u]Rue[/name_u] McClanahan (sp?), but I think both references are too old at this point.
I think it makes a sweet mn. Good luck!