Would 'Reuben' get shortened to 'Ben'?

[Lovage]

My favourite boy's name is 'Reuben', but for reasons of family history I have really bad associations with the name 'Ben'. Do you think a child called Reuben would get abbreviated to 'Ben' once he's in school? At home we could call him 'Rube' for short but I know, from teacher friends, that once they get into school they often get nicknamed to the more obvious shortening.

If he was likely to end up being called 'Ben' I would rather not name him Reuben, that's how much I hate the associations of that name (apols to all parents of Bens - nothing against the name itself, just the person it makes me think of)

[TheUNITUBER]

I think Rube is the more obvious shortening.

[nappyaddict]

My friend's ds is Reuben and he gets called Ru.

[MissMarpleTastic]

I'd never even thought of calling a Reuben, Ben.
I'd shorten it to Ru if it was someone I knew.

[missblythe]

Rube or Rubes seem more likely.

[funnypeculiar]

I know a Reuben - has always been Ru, Ruby and Rubes. Had never thought of Ben - don't personally think it's an obvious shortening.

BUT I agree that once they hit school, shortenings can be a bit out of your control ....

[Lemontart]

"Ruuuuuuube" shouted across the playground unless they are trying to tease the lad and then he will get "Ruuuuuuby" with a big smirk
Been in many playgrounds with quite a few Reubens over the years and never heard any of them shortened to Ben

[Lilliput]

I have a Reuben and he used to get called Ruby, Roo, or Rubes as a baby. Now he insists that he is only called Reuben (or Luke Skywalker, or The Doctor depending on the game!!).

[Lovage]

Oh, this is very reassuring, thank you. Anyone disagree and think he would be quite likely to get called Ben?

[Bucharest]

My friend's little boy is always Ru.

[hughjarssss]

I know Reuben and it never gets shortened to Ben

[lemonlady]

I just love the name, its fab!!!
don't think he would get shortened to Ben, more Ru or Rube

[OrmIrian]

Rube usually. Friend has a 19yr old son called Reuben. Shortened to Rube and his gf is Ruby also shortened to Rube

[moyasmum]

Not normally,you would have to lead the way and have people say"way didnt you call him Benjamin,then"?

[GirlWithTheMouseyHair]

i know someone who has shortened Rueben to Ben - but I thought for ages it was short for Benjamin, think it's just he prefers Ben to Ru or similar - he's chosen how to introduce himself

[Saltdfritch]

Favourite son?, I feel bad for your children

[Ellmau]

I don't think it would because the emphasis is different.

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

I can only think you'd land on Ben if it was your own name and you were looking for all potential related nicknames/short-forms that you liked best.

The name is pronounced 'RUH-buhn', so there's no actual 'Ben' sound to be heard in there - it's just the unstressed ending to the stressed main syllable. I think it would sort of be the equivalent of calling somebody with the name Timothy 'Moth' or even Alan 'Ann' !

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

Favourite son?, I feel bad for your children

Eh? Did you misinterpret OP saying "My favourite boy's name" - i.e. the male baby name she likes best rather than the name of her existing preferred-of-two-or-more sons?

I'm assuming she doesn't yet have a son, otherwise he would probably already be called Reuben and she wouldn't have started the thread! In fact, considering the name means 'behold, a son!', it would be quite an odd name to choose (imho) for a second or subsequent son - kind of suggesting that the first son didn't bring you the same happy surprise.

[FizzyApricot]

Ru

[SumAndSubstance]

This is a zombie 🧟‍♂️, revived by a weird misinterpretation!

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

Wow, yes! Reuben will probably be having his own children before too long

[Junebabe]

I have a brother called Reuben and never has he ever been shortened to Ben or associated with that name. It's such a lovely name too!

[midsomermurderess]

The kid will be 13 now

[stellarfox]

I wouldn't think so! I'd say Roo