Early 16th century (in an earlier sense). Ultimately from post-classical Latin rubinus, probably via forms in Romance languages and in other Germanic languages: compare Old Occitan (Gascon) robin, Spanish rubin, Portuguese rubim, Italian rubino, and compare also Middle Dutch rubijn, robijn (Dutch robijn), Middle Low German rubīn, robīn, Middle High German rubīn, rūbin (German Rubin), Old Swedish robin (Swedish rubin), Danish rubin. Compare also Anglo-Norman and Old French rubin, Old French robin.