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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Final two boys names

39 replies

Clairebear1809 · 26/05/2020 17:58

Hi all,

I think we are down to our final two boys names for our Son due end of June.
They are Reuben and Austin.
Our potential concerns are:
Reuben - my husband's name is Ben and he worries that people will think he is named after him or that it could potentially be shorted to Ben even though that's not how it's pronounced.
Austin - although it is a name, it's also a place name. Also, it could remind people of Austin Powers or "stone cold"' Steve Austin (if you are of a certain age).

What are your thoughts on both names and our concerns?

Many thanks Smile

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OnlyJudyCanJudgeMe · 26/05/2020 20:23

I prefer Reuben. But Austin isn’t bad.... sorry I’m on the fence.

Spied · 26/05/2020 20:21

Austin definitely.
I really dislike Reuben.

TeddyBeans · 26/05/2020 20:21

My nephew gets shortened to Roo which is cute. Not a huge fan of Austin

Teacaketotty · 26/05/2020 20:17

Much prefer Austin!

Singingatmidnight · 26/05/2020 20:16

I know a lovely baby Austin, lovely choice. I've known him ages and never once thought of Austin Powers.

Although it's a place too, it's more like Victoria or Adelaide - more a name than a place.

sweetnosugar · 26/05/2020 20:01

Reuben for sure! It’s lovely!

isitamapletree · 26/05/2020 19:16

Reuben is lovely

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 26/05/2020 18:59

Reuben is gorgeous. I'm not a fan of Austin.

richele4 · 26/05/2020 18:17

i prefer reuben x

LockdownLoon · 26/05/2020 18:16

Austin is at the top of our boys list too! Great choice xx

Orphlids · 26/05/2020 18:15

I really like both. It would never occur to me that a little Reuben had been named after Ben. The stress on the Reu makes the names so different.

I think I would pick Austin out of the two, just because to my ears it is a bit more exciting - I imagine Austin might have a bit more of a twinkle in his eye. But Reuben sounds so very kind. I can’t imagine an unkind Reuben.

I do think a bit of Austin Powers, I admit, but I doubt those films will have much significance in the lives of babies being born now. And Austin Powers was so cool anyway! The place name wouldn’t really occur to me as Austin is perfectly established without that association.

Zana2222 · 26/05/2020 18:14

I like Austin the best

Edenember · 26/05/2020 18:03

@Clairebear1809 I much prefer Reuben, although I understand concerns over repeating the Ben sound. I’d still go for it personally though. I think Reuben is far more likely to get ‘roobs’, in the same way girls called Ruby do, if anything than Ben as a nn although you never can truly tell.

Whatsyourflava · 26/05/2020 17:59

Love Austin
Dislike Reuben