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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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Whycantiwinmillionsandsquillions · 10/02/2024 14:57

I think Eden is more unisex.
Not sure if that would put you off.
Agree that people will misspell Reuben. That might not bother you.

daisypond · 10/02/2024 14:54

Reuben is pretty common. It used to be primarily a Jewish name but has become more mainstream. There seem to be lots of them about. I quite like Eden but I associate it with girls.

JubileeJumps · 10/02/2024 14:50

A few Reuben's in my area. Eden usually girls. Reuben is a great name.

Onelife2024 · 10/02/2024 14:48

Reuben is lovely name.

Eden I only know as a girls name.

boredwithfoodprob · 10/02/2024 14:28

The male spelling of Eden is Edan - it's my son's middle name Smile

Citygirlrurallife · 10/02/2024 14:26

I like Eden for either, I think it is fairly gender nuetral but also depends if you’re religious - I’m not so doesn’t feel too lofty

BoleynMemories13 · 10/02/2024 14:24

It's hard to tell without any official ONS data since 2021 but Reuben does seem to be rapidly rising (as are many Old Testament boys names right now, it's a popular trend). I know of 3 born last year. it was 36th in the 2021 stats for England and Wales. At a guess, from my experience, I'd say it must be higher than that now. Maybe top 25-30ish?

I love Eden for a girl but find it much too feminine for a boy.

I would go for Reuben, but popularity has never bothered me.

DanceToTheMusicInMyHead · 10/02/2024 13:47

Reuben is popular, but not everywhere. As the mum of a Reuben, the worst part of the name (as you can see already a few posts in) is that people cannot spell it! We get Rueben, Ruben, Ruban and Rubin more frequently than correct spelling (including from school). If your surname requires any thought to spell then I'd avoid.

Although you might be less irritated by it than me 😁

Original poster
Orangeecats · 10/02/2024 13:41

Is Reuben really that popular damn that’s annoying! My other son has a really uncommon name so I do want them to match.

I love Eden I don’t know why I’ve always thought of it as a boys name! And no not Jewish!

OP posts:
HAF1119 · 10/02/2024 13:39

Eden I know 4 - all girls. Rueben is lovely

Riverlee · 10/02/2024 13:38

I’d consider Eden to be a girls name as well.

I also don’t think Rueben is that uncommon, but it’s a nice name.

WaltzingWaters · 10/02/2024 13:35

I very much think of Eden as a girls name, and have only ever met female Eden’s. I really wouldn’t pick that for a boy, unfortunately it could lead to teasing at school.

Reuben is quite popular at the moment. Met quite a few little Reuben’s. Not a bad name but I wouldn’t say it’s uncommon, quite the opposite.

Echobelly · 10/02/2024 13:32

Eden's more generally associated with girls, unless you're Jewish in which case it's fairly unisex, although probably more associated with girls overall.

I think of Reuben as a fairly popular name, but maybe just because I'm Jewish! It is a lovely name, though.