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Baby names

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Original poster

Rueben

36 replies

PregnantAtLast · 08/12/2024 09:11

Me and DH both like the name Reuben, but a relative pointed out the other week that it's a Jewish name and people will assume we're Jewish if we use it.

Is this true? I thought the name Reuben was becoming more popular generally?

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MovingBird123 · 08/12/2024 23:11

Depends on your surname. I might ask if you're Jewish, but you can just say no. It is a name in my Jewish family. Reu = look, ben = a son.

Libertysparkle · 08/12/2024 15:31

I have a Reuben. No one has ever asked if Jewish. Not that I'd mind if they did.

A teacher spelt his name Rueben which I had to correct.

We always have a Reuben sandwich around his birthday. Yummy.

Cotswoldmama · 08/12/2024 13:56

I have a Reuben, we're athestist, we know another Reuben and he's not Jewish either. It's just a name we like.

BlastedPimples · 08/12/2024 13:41

I know a Reuben. Not Jewish. Great name.

Sunnyflow · 08/12/2024 13:33

Rueben is the plural of Ruebe Grin

ridl14 · 08/12/2024 12:32

BoleynMemories13 · 08/12/2024 11:54

I know of a Phebe... make my teeth itch! An Issac too 😬

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Issac! Drives me mental!

Sunnyflow · 08/12/2024 12:28

Very popular in the Jewish community!

It's also a well known (Jewish) sandwich

GritGoes4th · 08/12/2024 12:28

Great name! I would not assume that you are Jewish, but I would assume that you may be.

LetThereBeLove · 08/12/2024 12:27

DGS is Reuben. He does happen to be Jewish of non practising parents. Lovely name.

Gall10 · 08/12/2024 12:23

Just hope he can pronounce his r’s or he’ll go through life telling everyone he’s called Wubbin. I know this from bitter experience.
Poor Rory has it worse!

shellyleppard · 08/12/2024 12:13

My sons middle name is Reuben.....we picked it 16 year ago

MirandaBlu · 08/12/2024 12:12

About the spelling, I think that Ruben is also most common in the USA, perhaps because that's also the Spanish-language spelling (although the traditional form is Rubén, with the emphasis on the second syllable). Reuben or Ruben would both be OK in the UK.

It's a name with origins and roots in Hebrew, but I wouldn't assume that Reuben/Ruben had any Jewish heritage or connection - just as I wouldn't have assumed thirty years ago that a Benjamin or a Daniel or a Jonathan did.

BoleynMemories13 · 08/12/2024 11:54

ridl14 · 08/12/2024 11:31

Love Reuben/Ruben! I think there are names that are traditionally Jewish but have become more widely used and it is one, I wouldn't assume a Reuben/Ruben was Jewish. A Mordechai/Amitai though...

Also definitely don't spell it Rueben! I know a little girl with a misspelled version of Phoebe - it looks like a typo as it's not a name like Catherine with many accepted spellings.

I know of a Phebe... make my teeth itch! An Issac too 😬

BoleynMemories13 · 08/12/2024 11:53

LlynTegid · 08/12/2024 09:21

I immediately thought of two Dutch comedians, who are not Jewish as far as I know.

I'd be concerned about your DS having to correct the spelling too often, as I think many would assume Ruben not Reuben.

In England, by far the most common spelling is Reuben. It's firmly in the top 50.

Ruben seems to be used on the continent (especially Western Europe - Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Netherlands etc), but not so much here. I think you'd definitely have to put up with people spelling it wrong, if you choose a name with different accepted spellings, but I disagree that many people will assume it's spelt Ruben. The stats tell a very different story. Reuben is the spelling most British people will be familiar with seeing.

Both are far preferable to Rueben though!

ridl14 · 08/12/2024 11:31

Love Reuben/Ruben! I think there are names that are traditionally Jewish but have become more widely used and it is one, I wouldn't assume a Reuben/Ruben was Jewish. A Mordechai/Amitai though...

Also definitely don't spell it Rueben! I know a little girl with a misspelled version of Phoebe - it looks like a typo as it's not a name like Catherine with many accepted spellings.

JingleB · 08/12/2024 11:20

I’d say if you can’t spell it, you probably shouldn’t choose it.

BeretInParis · 08/12/2024 11:19

BoleynMemories13 · 08/12/2024 09:59

Twenty+ years ago it seemed to be a name predominantly used by Jewish people. Now it's very mainstream. None of the young boys I know called Reuben are Jewish (and I know a fair few under the age of 8, around me).

Lots of biblical names are having a moment right now. Reuben, Noah, Caleb, Jude, Isaac, Ezra, Elijah. Often used by non-religious people. They're just a current trend.

Use what you love. Definitely spell it Reuben though!

This.

Skyeisaballerina1 · 08/12/2024 10:47

We have an almost 11 year old Reuben no one has ever assumed he is Jewish, his name however is forever being mis spelt!!!!

sleepandcoffee · 08/12/2024 10:40

Both of my children have Jewish names but we are not Jewish , No one has ever questioned it .

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 08/12/2024 10:36

Reuben, not Rueben. You've spelled it in two different ways. I don't think it's an uncommon name. I quite like it.

Womble75 · 08/12/2024 10:31

I've a Reuben. Never been asked if I'm Jewish!

Oneoffnamechanged25 · 08/12/2024 10:26

I was asked a couple of times if I was Jewish when my now teenage Reuben was a baby never since.

meganna · 08/12/2024 10:12

I wouldn't think it was any more Jewish than the likes of Noah, Caleb, Jacob, Ezra, Joel - all very popular names at the minute! I'd think Biblical, not Jewish.

Atishooo · 08/12/2024 10:10

Reuben is very common boy’s name, no one will think you’re Jewish. I know several Reubens.

BoleynMemories13 · 08/12/2024 09:59

Twenty+ years ago it seemed to be a name predominantly used by Jewish people. Now it's very mainstream. None of the young boys I know called Reuben are Jewish (and I know a fair few under the age of 8, around me).

Lots of biblical names are having a moment right now. Reuben, Noah, Caleb, Jude, Isaac, Ezra, Elijah. Often used by non-religious people. They're just a current trend.

Use what you love. Definitely spell it Reuben though!