Houben is a Dutch and Low German patronymic surname meaning "son of Houb". Houb was a nickname for Huibert/Huibrecht/Hubrecht (Hubert) in Brabant and Limburg. People with this surname include:
Claude Houben (born 1926), Belgian bobsledderFrancine Houben (born 1955), Dutch architectFrank Houben (born 1939), Dutch politicianFred Houben (born 1974), Dutch punk rock bass playerHeinrich Hubert Houben (1875–1935), German literary historianHeinrich Hubert Maria Josef Houben (1875–1940), German chemistHilde Houben-Bertrand (born 1940), Belgian politicianHubert Houben (1898–1956), German sprinterHubert Houben (born 1953), German historianJoannes Andreas Houben (1821–1893), Dutch-Irish priest (Karel Houben, St. Charles of Mount Argus)Josef Houben (1875–1940), German chemistMax Houben (1898–1949), Belgian athlete and bobsledderRobert J. Houben (1905–1992), Belgian politicianRom Houben (born 1963), Belgian long-term coma patientSteve Houben (born 1950), Belgian jazz saxophonist and flutistStijn Houben (born 1995), Dutch footballer