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Baby names

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Reuben-how do you say it?

59 replies

Beatstotherain · 21/01/2021 10:23

New baby in the family called Reuben. Mum pronounces it Rue-bin with the emphasis on the bin. I’ve never heard it pronounced like it before so was wondering if it was a common pronunciation. Obviously taking the mum’s leads and pronouncing as she does but it was more a pondering on my part.

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Firebird83 · 21/01/2021 19:57

ROO-bin

partyatthepalace · 21/01/2021 19:21

Emphasis would always be on the ROO and I think most people would say ROO-bn, but some accents (eg some RP) might come out as ROO-bin.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 21/01/2021 16:31

Or yes maybe even equal emphasis on both parts like a PP said. But definitely no emphasis on the second part!

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 21/01/2021 16:30

This made me laugh so much. My son is called Reuben, if I called him rooBIN he'd think i'd gone mad 😂😂😂

It is said like ROO-bn (not bin!!!) Hahahaha.

sozzledsantax · 21/01/2021 15:38

I would say roo-bin. Haven't heard it pronounced any other way.

orangenasturtium · 21/01/2021 15:36

That may be a holdover from either Midwestern American or Hebrew, the latter I've usually heard it as reh-oo-ben, again even emphasis normally, though I've heard it with the oo emphasised too

It would be Rəʾuven in Hebrew with a glottal stop between the first and second syllables, a V instead of a B, and emphasis on the third/final syllable.

I'm with you on the correct pronunciation in English OP!

TheLittleRedToothbrush · 21/01/2021 15:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Missmonkeypenny · 21/01/2021 14:57

I have one, he is a Reuben pronounced roo-bn. He gets called Reu ( pronounced Roo ) for short. Definiteky no emphasis on the Bn part! I can't even work out how to do that.

DaphneBridgerton · 21/01/2021 14:56

If the emphasis was on the second part of the name, if anything it would be more like Roo-BEN in my head
But I would say it Roo-bn

BiBabbles · 21/01/2021 14:54

In English, Roo-Bin, even emphasis on both syllables.

That may be a holdover from either Midwestern American or Hebrew, the latter I've usually heard it as reh-oo-ben, again even emphasis normally, though I've heard it with the oo emphasised too.

soggyandwet · 21/01/2021 14:52

Roobun

EileenGC · 21/01/2021 14:52

Roo-BEN (as in the name Ben) where I come from - Spain.

ROO-bn in English. I don't tend to say -bin but it might a regional thing from where I lived in the UK.

My German cousin with that name is ROO-Ben (again as in the name).

It depends where the child or his parents are from.

Stinkyjellycat · 21/01/2021 14:52

@Palavah
Why is it a blessing that she isn’t calling him by his given name, and when she does she gets it wrong? it’s not rude to correct the pronunciation.

EdgeOfACoin · 21/01/2021 14:45

Emphasis on Roo.

SymphonyofShadows · 21/01/2021 14:38

Everyone they meet is going to put the emphasis on the ROO

Palavah · 21/01/2021 14:32

@Stinkyjellycat

It ROObun. Correct her - you’re right!!
Jeez, don't do that.

If she's calling him Roo that's a blessing, you can follow suit.

Chilldonaldchill · 21/01/2021 14:32

ROO bn

campion · 21/01/2021 14:31

@MyDcAreMarvel

Aside from the pronunciation ( which is regional) it’s pretentious and over used. Horrid name.
That flipping Old Testament. It's got a lot to answer for, eh?!
PolarnOPirate · 21/01/2021 14:26

I sort of say Roo-bin, rather than Roo-bn, but still with emphasis on the first syllable.

PattyPan · 21/01/2021 14:25

Aside from the pronunciation ( which is regional) it’s pretentious and over used. Horrid name.

I’ve always thought of it as a Jewish name.

Holly60 · 21/01/2021 14:23

@Popsy321

Roo-bn.
This
PattyPan · 21/01/2021 14:22

I also say ROO-bn with barely any second vowel.

MyDcAreMarvel · 21/01/2021 14:22

Aside from the pronunciation ( which is regional) it’s pretentious and over used. Horrid name.

AdelaideK · 21/01/2021 14:21

I've only heard it pronounced with the emphasis on the Roo.

Stinkyjellycat · 21/01/2021 14:19

It ROObun. Correct her - you’re right!!

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