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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rueben?!

64 replies

ExpectingLady93 · 23/01/2022 19:27

Hi all, what does everything think of the name Rueben for a boy? Pronounce fed Roo-ben. Can also be spelt Ruben which I think I prefer.

Don't know why but it has really stuck with me...

Thank you x

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Snowiscold · 24/01/2022 17:57

Yes, I personally know only Jewish people who use it.

Snowiscold · 24/01/2022 17:56

It’s spelled Reuben, unless you have links to a country that spells it as Ruben. It’s never Rueben. It’s OK but popular.

HNY2022mam · 24/01/2022 17:18

I had a few people asking me if I was Jewish when I had my son.

Hayisforhorse · 24/01/2022 15:53

I know a few Reubens (8 year olds).

Blubells · 24/01/2022 15:45

I like Reuben.

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endofthelinefinally · 24/01/2022 12:40

I would only use it if I had Jewish heritage. I also think it is important to spell names correctly otherwise the poor child will have a lifetime of correcting/explaining.

thisplaceisweird · 24/01/2022 12:39

[quote ExpectingLady93]@halfsiesonapotnoodle it can be spelt either way. [/quote]
Yes, the right way and the wrong way.

samG76 · 24/01/2022 12:36

Rueben definitely wrong - In Hebrew it is Re'u - ben (Look - a son!). Where used as a first name it is always spelt like this in the Jewish community. Where a surname it is usually Rubin.

KatherineJaneway · 24/01/2022 12:17

I like the name. I know a Ruben but everyone calls him Ru.

Anotherdayanotheropinon · 24/01/2022 12:13

Reuben - sorry just reminds me of the sandwich!

A classic Reuben is a sandwich consisting of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing between slices of rye bread that is grilled until the bread is crispy and the cheese melts.

ISeeTheLight · 24/01/2022 11:27

It's fine; it works when they're older and as kids. DD has a not so nice Reuben in her class.

Re spelling - UK spelling is Reuben. You can also use Ruben, also eg in Dutch and Armenian it's spelled that way (not just Portuguese/Spanish).

KirstenBlest · 24/01/2022 11:16

I don't like it either @FelicityBob.

It blends in with other whiny OT names though

FelicityBob · 24/01/2022 11:04

I really dislike it but seems I’m in the minority!

Moonshine160 · 24/01/2022 10:47

I have a Reuben :) I love his name but it’s always misspelt. We had a Christmas card for “Roobin” and “Ruebon” last year.
Ruben is the Spanish/Portuguese version I believe. Rueben just looks wrong.

Fivebeanchilli · 23/01/2022 23:27

Reuben is lovely.
Ruben is a European spelling I think, although lots of people misspell Reuben as this.
Rueben is just a mistake.

driftcompatible · 23/01/2022 20:53

Rueben looks like an embarrassing spelling mistake and you'll be forever telling people it's intentional (they either won't believe you or think you're thick).

Reuben is incredibly popular in my area - if popularity bothers you ask around about how many Reubens your friends' children know.

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 23/01/2022 20:44

I'm not a fan, it's quite popular where I am. Only ever seen it spelled Reuben.

sadpapercourtesan · 23/01/2022 20:43

Reuben or Ruben would be better. Rueben is a misspelling.

I taught a little boy who spelled it Rubeun though Hmm

Original poster
ExpectingLady93 · 23/01/2022 20:41

Thanks all Smile

OP posts:
degsydoodoos · 23/01/2022 20:41

I love it. Just to throw a little curve ball at you, my friend's (now adult) son was christened Reuben, but has been known as Ben all his life. It's an unusual abbreviation for it I think - most Bens are Benedict / Benjamin etc, and I'd heard only previously heard Reuben abbreviated to Rube.

mguedes92 · 23/01/2022 20:39

I have a Ruben, we went with the Portuguese way of spelling it as I'm originally from Portugal 😊

Crimesean · 23/01/2022 20:33

Reuben is a lovely name, but please don't try for a "yoonique" spelling. It'll look like you just can't spell.

I know a child whose parents named him Issac instead of Isaac, the poor child is always being asked how to pronounce it and why did his parents mis-spell his name, it's embarrassing and unnecessary.

Skeumorph · 23/01/2022 20:31

Rueben is wrong.

Reuben is nice.

Lolalovesroses · 23/01/2022 20:30

I love the name, there are 4 in my sons class though, and two in his football team, it's very popular around here.

TheChemicalMother · 23/01/2022 20:29

Reuben is a great name.

But any other spelling is naff.