Ruby: ArgumentError: missing keyword: :name / unknown keyword: :nmae
A method requiring keyword arguments was called without them, or with a misspelt keyword.
ArgumentError: missing keyword: :nameArgumentError: missing keywords: :a, :bArgumentError: unknown keyword: :nmaeArgumentError (missing keyword: :user)unknown keywords: :foo, :bar Meaning
Pass the required keywords (foo(name: "x")), fix typos, and in Ruby 3 convert hashes with **hash. The message names the keyword. For Rails callbacks/factories check the signature after upgrades (e.g. before_action only:).
Common causes
- Required keyword missing
- Typo in keyword name
- Ruby 3: hash passed as last positional argument
- Method renamed/changed in a gem upgrade
- Block keyword params
⚡ Quick fix
- Pass
foo(name: value) - Use
foo(**options)for hashes - Check the gem changelog for signature changes
Detailed fix by platform
Ruby
def foo(name:, age: 18); end; foo(name: "A")
How to diagnose
- Keyword — Named?
- Typo — Spelling?
- Hash — ** used?
🔧 Still not fixed?
Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:
Similar errors
- ActionController::ParameterMissing: param is missing or the value is empty Rails: ActionController::ParameterMissing: param is missing or the value is empty: user
- ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2) Ruby: ArgumentError: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2..3)
- Bundler could not find compatible versions for gem Bundler: Bundler could not find compatible versions for gem "activesupport": In Gemfile: rails (= 7.1.0) depends on activesupport (= 7.1.0)
Most viewed in Ruby / Rails
- ActiveRecord::PendingMigrationError Rails: ActiveRecord::PendingMigrationError — Migrations are pending. To resolve this issue, run: bin/rails db:migrate
- ActionController::InvalidAuthenticityToken Rails: ActionController::InvalidAuthenticityToken (Can't verify CSRF token authenticity)
- ActionController::UrlGenerationError: No route matches {action...} missing required keys Rails: ActionController::UrlGenerationError: No route matches {:action=>"show", :controller=>"users", :id=>nil}, missing required keys: [:id]
Other ways to find it
Where this error sits
Origin: Application & API. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):
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Last updated 5 Nov 2026