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Baby names

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

Original poster

Reuben or Eden

63 replies

Orangeecats · 10/02/2024 13:27

Baby boy due in 2 weeks! Can’t decide on the name - we like uncommon names and have managed to short list it to Eden and Reuben. Any thoughts?

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EdenNash · 13/02/2024 09:25

Quick name change!
My son is good friends with this 25 year old boy called Eden who won The Chase! He's an absolutely lovely boy/ man and as far as I know has never been teased for his name. So I'd go for Eden but Reuben is a good name too, don't discount it just because other people like it!

Mumoftwo1312 · 13/02/2024 03:15

Eden made it into the top 20 boys' names in France recently. So it's more of a boy's name there

Edit: came 15th in 2022 apparently. So lots of boy Edens will be growing up of that generation... in France at least!

Fetaa · 13/02/2024 03:14

Reuben I like.

Fetaa · 13/02/2024 03:13

Eden is a girls name.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 13/02/2024 03:03

I think Eden is one of those unisex names like Jordan, that people associate with one sex or the other rather than seeing it as unisex IYSWIM.

When I was growing up, Jordan was definitely a boys name. It wouldn't have occurred to me to think of it as unisex. But by the time I had my DCs 25 years ago, it had started to be used for girls. The first time I met a little girl called Jordan I was surprised, but quickly got used to the idea. If someone said to me that they've got a work colleague called Jordan, I'd still automatically think it was a man until told otherwise.

The first Eden I came across was a little boy, so I associate it with boys. Then DS1 had a girl Eden in his class, and DS2. had a boy Eden in his football team.

It's a great name. I don't think he'll be teased. Kids accept all sorts of names.

ladygindiva · 12/02/2024 21:15

I know a male Eden! Thirtyish. I think it's a great unisex name.

Original poster
Orangeecats · 12/02/2024 21:11

I’m loving all the support for Eden!! Keep it coming because it’s still my fave!

OP posts:
SirChenjins · 12/02/2024 21:09

Reuben

The only Edens I know are female.

SunsetOverEasterIsland · 12/02/2024 21:04

Love Eden - always thought of it as a male name due to the footballer Eden Hazard but then met a little girl named Eden so now think of it as a unisex name.
Reuben for some reason (sorry to all of you with Reuben's) I really dislike, totally irrational but don't like the way it sounds.

YourLocal · 12/02/2024 20:35

Eden!!

Original poster
Orangeecats · 12/02/2024 20:23

MeinKraft · 12/02/2024 19:53

Dexter reminds me of 3 things

  1. the serial killer tv show
  2. cows
  3. the little cartoon scientist

😂😂😂

OP posts:
BrightGreenGoose · 12/02/2024 19:55

I've only know female Edens but it really does strike me as more masculine than feminine so I think it would work well for a boy.

PrawnDumplings · 12/02/2024 19:53

Reuben!

MeinKraft · 12/02/2024 19:53

Dexter reminds me of 3 things

  1. the serial killer tv show
  2. cows
  3. the little cartoon scientist
Original poster
Orangeecats · 12/02/2024 19:49

@ChelseeDagger oh wow you have a Reuben and an Eden! We are so similar I love it 😂 Raphael is beautiful too to be honest!! I’m glad to hear that your Eden has never been teased for his name. I do feel that in this generation anything goes more and I’m sure they’ll be much more out there names then a boy called Eden!

Not sure if anyone else has been watching One Day on Netflix but since watching it I now quite like the name Dexter so I think that’s in the running now too!

OP posts:
ChelseeDagger · 12/02/2024 14:08

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Bunnyhopskip · 12/02/2024 14:02

Eden, just reminds me of that "Edens World" trashy t.v reality show with the spoilt little pageant girl called Eden. I can't see it as anything other than a very over the top girly name that screams "I'm REALLY special". Reuben is nice, but I know quite a few 8 and under.

MeinKraft · 12/02/2024 13:46

Orangeecats · 10/02/2024 21:10

@Einevinefine nothing else in reserve that we can think of! It’s so hard!

I just like names that are unusual/uncommon but not silly! I really did have my heart set on Eden but I am worried that he will get teased if everyone thinks it should be for a girl!

Yeah he will. Go for Reuben.

Wishlist99 · 12/02/2024 13:45

Eden nn Edie is a girls name: I know several and in literature it has always been female. If I received a CV for an Eden I would assume it was for a female with no question that it was gender neutral. Go for Edan if you would like a more male/gender neutral name.

Reuben is nice. Many people will assume Jewish.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 12/02/2024 13:43

I love the name Eden

I know two male Edens and one female.

ChelseeDagger · 12/02/2024 13:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

rainbowstardrops · 12/02/2024 13:40

I love Eden but again, I only know female Eden's but I have heard of boys being named it too. I just think it sounds quite girly but that's just me!
I worked in a school for more than 10 years and only came across a few Reubens.

FayCarew · 12/02/2024 13:23

@Pinkl , it is. Babies called Reuben in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com). Add the Ruben, Rubin and Rueben to the stats and it's quite a lot of them.

user1492757084 · 12/02/2024 10:40

Reuben.

others ..
Raphael
Rupert
Eric

Eden is common for a girl, as is Edie.
Erin and Eren were once used more for boys too.

Pinkl · 12/02/2024 02:42

Both are lovely names! I do think Reuben is growing in popularity. I know both girl and boy Eden and think it suits either.

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