Ruben

[Renaissance227]

What do you think to Ruben for a boy?

[hester]

I like it very much, though would personally go for the trad Jewish spelling Reuben. Ruben is Scandinavian spelling, isn't it?

[Renaissance227]

Wasn't sure whether I preferred Ruben or Reuben!!

[hester]

They're both lovely

[TheBreadstick]

I liked Reuben until I realised every second boy in our local park seemed to be called it! It's certainly very popular round here, but thank god not in a chavvy way - more a middle-class earth mother sort of way ...

I still think it's a nice name though and would probably have it on my shortlist if it weren't so damn popular here!

Bread x

[cookielove]

LOVE IT

[Ephiny]

I love it. Never met one in real life, so it can't be that popular!

[wearenotamused]

I really like it, But prefer it with an 'e'. But that way is more popular. I only know one and he's 35.

[Renaissance227]

Thanks everyone. It's a real struggle coming up with names that my DP and I agree on!! Will definitely put Reuben to him later. I really like it too.

[Renaissance227]

Any other opinions?

[theworldspins]

I love it :D - I've seen a few more over that last year or so, but not enough to put anyone off.

I like the 'e'

[MrsPlugThePlumber]

Yes yes yes to the 'E'!

[tiddleypompom]

Agreed. It's lovely. Keep the 'e'. He will be an actor though, just to warn you.

[SkipToTheEnd]

Love it. But keep the e :o

[Renaissance227]

Thank you! Maybe I've finally picked a good one!

[TheSmallPrint]

I like it, I nearly named my DS1 this 8 years ago but it doesn't go with our surname. It was his great grandads name. I think it is originally a Jewish name but so are many others (like Benjamin etc.) and they are now in common usage.

[TheSmallPrint]

Funny how everyone on here seems to like it but when we were thinking of it everyone looked at us like .

[Tuschinski]

My 11month old DS is a Reuben, got the idea on here! Ruben is the Spanish version and is pronounced more ru-BEN than Rue-ben.
Needless to say I love it and it's the only name me and Dh agreed on. My Mam says she "got a shock" when I told her his name but has never said if she liked it or not, I'll take it as a not, got a lot of odd looks and "Are you Jewish?" questions. I haven't met another here, I am in Ireland, but I do think it is growing in popularity alright, seems every baby is called Noah here at the moment.

[nosexpleaseimpregnant]

I adore this name, unfortunately the OH hates it (along with every other boys name I come up with, grrr!)

[sonniebonnie]

In German a parsnip is Ruebe and parsnips (plural) are Rueben. So it wouldn't be a great name in German speaking countries imo .

[festi]

Reuben

[VaginaPuddleduck]

Really dislike it. Can't put my figure on why - it's just never come across as a very strong name to me. It just doesn't feel like a masculine name to me at all.

[MrsRhettButler]

Love it

[hester]

I know a Ruben and a Reuben, and they are both towering beacons of masculinity.

[Renaissance227]

Sounds a good response so far. Just have to work on my DP now!! He wasn't keen when I mentioned it last night. He really has no imagination - his response was "Don't really like it. What about Kelvin?"!!!!! There's no hope

[VaginaPuddleduck]

hester