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Baby names

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

Original poster

The name Reuben

40 replies

BabyLlamaZen · 04/09/2020 08:57

what do you think of when you hear or read it? What other names do you think are similar?

used to love it but it's so popular

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FizzingWhizzbee123 · 04/09/2020 10:12

I think it’s fine. I know a few but I don’t think it’s massively overused. The ones I know are from all sorts of different background but I don’t think any of them are Jewish. I don’t think that’s an issue

Pearsapiece · 04/09/2020 10:11

Not a fan of reuben but can't put my finger on why. I love Rupert though which is similar (and may be my ds name!)

Angel2702 · 04/09/2020 10:10

I know quite a few where we are.

Astronica · 04/09/2020 10:05

I don't like it. It feels country hick to me. I do however love Rufus and Rupert which just seem a lot cooler and smarter. I expect to be in the minority on this though - I know of a few Reubens.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/09/2020 09:22

It reminds me of the movie Along Came Polly.

Scubalubs87 · 04/09/2020 09:21

For reasons I can’t quite work out, I can’t bear this name. Makes me cringe a bit but I don’t know why. It’s definitely having a moment where I am in the the SE - I’ve come across quite a few baby Reubens in the last couple of years. None of those children are from Jewish backgrounds either.

Original poster
BabyLlamaZen · 04/09/2020 09:13

do you think it's acceptable to be used by someone who isn't Jewish? Blush

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BuffaloCauliflower · 04/09/2020 09:11

Nice name. I know one who’s a grown up.

Sportsnight · 04/09/2020 09:10

It’s lovely. It’s a predominantly Jewish name which might explain why you’ll hear it more in certain parts of London. Would have been on my list if we’d had a boy!

Original poster
BabyLlamaZen · 04/09/2020 09:09

Interesting as it was all over little kids in London! Maybe just the areas I was in.

Does it have a ugh dare I say it any class associations, or naughty vs soft vs whacky type connotations? 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 04/09/2020 09:03

It's not common at all where I live, I've never met a single one in my life!

It was actually my second choice for name for my DS2 but there was something that put me off. I think I just didn't like the way it looked written down, and it was off the list by the time I had my next baby. Who weirdly is nicknamed 'Roo' even though that doesn't have much to do with her actual name (she was a girl in the end) but had just evolved.

ParadiseLaundry · 04/09/2020 09:03

I really like it. I definitely considered it with my 2 DSs. I think the first place I heard it was on Neighbours in the 1990s, I think he was Helen Daniels gentleman friend Grin

ImaSababa · 04/09/2020 09:02

I know a couple of Reubens. Lovely name. Makes me think of Reuben sandwiches, which ain't a bad thing.

zingally · 04/09/2020 09:00

I don't mind it, and it's not common round here. I can only think of one Reuben of all the many, many kids I know (school teacher), and he's about 8.

I associate it with those sorts of names that everyone knows and thinks are "fine", but actually you don't know any kids called that. Names like Michael, Paul, John, Richard. Names you kind of associate with men in their 40s.

BertieBotts · 04/09/2020 08:58

I can never spell it, can never remember if it's ue or eu. If that would bother you.