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Baby names

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

Original poster

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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DinosaurDiana · 21/01/2021 14:19

Roo-Bn

MyDcAreMarvel · 21/01/2021 14:18

Roo bin emphasis on bin.

debwong · 21/01/2021 14:18

Perhaps she thinks it's the male form of Ribena? Lovely name for a girl, that.

Luckyelephant1 · 21/01/2021 14:16

Sorry Ruben not Rubin

Luckyelephant1 · 21/01/2021 14:16

ROO-bn. Pronouncing the bin sounds like someone trying to say it who's never heard the name before.

Not that it means anything now but I much prefer the spelling Rubin, because Reuben is the name of a sandwich!

ParisJeTAime · 21/01/2021 13:56

ROO-bin. Not Roo-BIN.

cushioncovers · 21/01/2021 13:15

Roo bn

FoggyDay58 · 21/01/2021 12:16

I have this with my SIL and the name Caleb. She says Kay-LEB, and the whole family (grandparents, aunts and uncles) have all started pronouncing it the same way. I find myself doing it too but feel like I'm taking the piss, as it sounds awful compared to KAY-leb, but on the other hand - why does it bother me at all? Not my child, not my name.

Original poster
Beatstotherain · 21/01/2021 11:48

I did make a comment kind of like ‘ohh I say it like Roo-buhn...you guys pronounce it Roo-bin’ and she said oh it must just be an accent thing (we grew up together and live in the same town) so I didn’t push it. It’s definitely Reuben. I have noticed she tends to call him Roo now though (he’s only 4 months old) so wondering if she has started to notice she says it differently.

OP posts:
Marcipex · 21/01/2021 11:18

Roo-bn
I know loads, all pronounced the same.
The stress on the second syllable reminds me of Hyacinth Bucket.

SlopesOff · 21/01/2021 10:56

Perhaps watching this film would help:

www.imdb.com/title/tt0084591/

ThePricklySheep · 21/01/2021 10:54

Thinking about it some more I actually feel sorry for the child. Is it worth asking if there is a family connection which is the reason they’ve gone for a different pronunciation?

They might feel really embarrassed in future years when they realise they’re saying it different to everyone else.

ThePricklySheep · 21/01/2021 10:51

@wowfudge

I think it's sounds awful pronounced as you've said the mum says it. This is the thing with names though - you have to consider, for example, how it would be pronounced in the local accent.
It does. It sounds like someone’s making fun of it.
daisypond · 21/01/2021 10:51

Emphasis on the Roo. Is he actually called Reuben? Have you seen it in writing?

tisonlymeagain · 21/01/2021 10:49

ROObun

PuppyMonkey · 21/01/2021 10:49

ROO-bun or yes I could sort of understand ROO-bin as well.

Trying to sound out roo-BIN in my head, it’s not going well.Grin

wowfudge · 21/01/2021 10:47

I think it's sounds awful pronounced as you've said the mum says it. This is the thing with names though - you have to consider, for example, how it would be pronounced in the local accent.

OddsNSodsBitsNBobs · 21/01/2021 10:47

Ru- buhn

sqirrelfriends · 21/01/2021 10:46

Roo-bin

NotExactlyMrsCurrentAffairs · 21/01/2021 10:45

Roobun

Hoppinggreen · 21/01/2021 10:45

Roo bun

ThePricklySheep · 21/01/2021 10:45

I really don’t think she’s got it right.

MrsWhistledown · 21/01/2021 10:44

@Popsy321

Roo-bn.
This is how I pronounce it as well, almost like there is no vowel in the second half of the word
JemimaTiggywinkle · 21/01/2021 10:43

I’d say ROOB-un

Original poster
Beatstotherain · 21/01/2021 10:42

No she’s British.

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