Is Noah Reuben too religious?

[CherryWater]

TIA

[lalaland1985]

Noah is very very popular just now. I think I prefer it the other way round - Reuben Noah. I don't think it's too religious. I think it's lovely!

[TeacupDrama]

They are lovely names but are without doubt both biblical old testament names of Hebrew origin. That doesn't stop loads of people using them the names are in general use but both together may give the idea you are religious, but only you know whether that bothers you.

[EssentialHummus]

As a Jew, I'd assume he was Jewish. No other thoughts, the names work fine together.

[reuset]

No. They're both fairly popular, and wouldn't attract much notice. If he had a few more siblings with similar names I might start to wonder, however.

[notangelinajolie]

Both are good strong biblical names so some people would assume you are religious.

Is Noah Reuben too religious? That is for you to decide, I guess it depends on how religious you are.

I agree with a previous poster - Reuben Noah sounds better.

[Roodolf]

Well, they are biblical OT names but Jews, Christians and those of other faiths and none use biblical names, especially for boys... It depends whether "too religious" is something you feel is a slur. My DD has a Scandinavian name and people occasionally say, do you have Scandinavian family? It's no more of a judgement than 'Are you Jewish/ Christian?' unless you want it to be.

Lovely names btw!

[RuthB4]

I wouldn't have thought so. As other people have said, they're both popular names anyway. I like them!

[SuperBeagle]

Reuben is very, very commonly used by Jews.

And Noah is one of the best well known Biblical characters (up there with Moses, Judas etc. I'd say).

So, yes, I'd say it's "too religious" for me, personally. But whether or not you care about the religious factor is a separate issue entirely. If it doesn't bother you, then it's fine.

[KeyserSophie]

I am north of 40, and when I was a kid, children called names like Noah, Isaac, jacob (and especially) Reuben would almost certainly have been Jewish. However, since then, use has broadened considerably so I dont think it would be odd to name a child any of those if you're not religius.

I am fond of Reuben I must say but DH vetoed (cant remember why now and anyway, DD was a girl )

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

Reuben Noah, has a much nicer ring to it.

[AntiQuitty]

Religious people will probably assume you are, but on an everyday basis I doubt it.

[NancyJoan]

No. I know two Reubens and a Noah, none from religious families. I think those names have become 'mainstream' popular now.

[sycamore54321]

It is very Biblical and quite Jewish in culture so yes, I would assume you are quite religious and that religion is probably Judaism, or else a conservative brand of Christianity. But I don't think this matters enough not to use a name you like, especially as it is only the combo with the Middle name that gives this impression. Noah on its own no longer has strongly religious connotations. Reuben as a first name is much more religious to my ears.

[MrsMeeseeks]

Noah is just about the most Biblical name there is, IMO! Its popularity amongst non-Christians is baffling to me.

[MrsMeeseeks]

That didn't answer your question at all: no, I don't think the addition of Reuben makes Noah sound any more religious.

[flapjackfairy]

I have a friend whose son is called just that...Noah Reuben.
He is 20ish now so it was v unusual when he was named!

[LovesRecovery]

I'm Jewish and I would suspect Reuben might be Jewish but Noah wouldn't make me think anything in particular. Remember that after the first month of your child's life nobody is going to know his middle name unless he wants them to, so the combination doesn't matter that much. My DS has an Old Testament name that is fairly well known where we come from but basically unheard of in the UK. It makes me a bit self-conscious when people recognize it as biblical because we actually aren't very religious at all and I feel like the name makes it seem like we are. But it doesn't really matter once someone gets to know us.

[Ordinarily]

Noah and Reuben are popular names, and I wouldn't think "religion" if I heard them. Lots of names are in the Bible but don't automatically make people think "Biblical", e.g. Luke, Felix, Nathan, Matthew, Ethan, Adam, Samuel, David, Daniel. I think the difference between a few decades ago and now is that there used to be lots of popular New Testament names (Andrew, Mark, John, Timothy, Simon, Peter, Thomas, James, etc) whereas the Old Testament names are now quite fashionable (Eli, Isaac, Jacob, Seth, Ezra etc).

[2014newme]

I think 2 old testament names is very religious I would assume Jewish.
if you like that names and are part of a religious community then go for it. If you like the names and aren't religious that doesn't matter.

[Mumoftheark]

It depends how you would feel if people assumed you were Christian / Jewish? Does it really matter?
I have a Noah with the middle name also Old Testament. Reuben was also a favourite of mine and I love your combo but DH didn't. Older People have said wow that's a good strong Christian name as a compliment, haven't had anything negative said about it - what does too religious mean anyway!
If someone questions your religious beliefs because of your choice of names you simply say " nope I didn't choose it because of our faith I simply liked the names" not really a big deal.
Also as someone else said knowone will know the middle name after the first month anyway. Go with what you love

[mimishimmi]

If you're not actually Jewish but your sins looks mean he could be mistaken to be I'd caution against it. My parents gave me a very Hebrew name because it's a variant of my grandmother's name. I have dark features and olive skin - noone believes me when I tell them I'm mostly 🍀. It's caused me a fair few problems over the years, especially recently.

[mimishimmi]

sons

[Evergreen777]

With both names together I'd assume you were probably Jewish. But in practice i rarely if ever would know the middle names of anyone I meet. I wouldn't assume anything much about Noah as a name, as it's quite trendy at the moment and I think not just with Jews. I'd probably assume a child named Ruben was likely Jewish.

Up to you whether that bothers you

[Juveniledelinquent]

If you like them choose them. I don't think the religious thing matters.

[EssentialHummus]

mimi how has being mistaken for a Jew caused you problems?