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Baby names

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

Original poster

Reuben - how Jewish are we talking?

44 replies

suzimum · 15/11/2009 10:24

Hi all. I love the name Reuben but had previously discounted it since I had thought it was considered very Jewish and not being Jewish myself, wondered if people would think this was a strange choice. I know it is an Old Testament name like so many others, but it seem more Jewish than others!

I'd be interested to hear your views!

Thanks

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Louise2004 · 16/11/2009 08:48

I've only ever connected the name with Rubens the artist (I know the spelling is different but it does sound the same!), probably also because the only Reuben I've met was the son of a Dutch couple (I only met the mother and have no idea if they were Jews or had Jewish roots). As people have already mentioned, there are many more common Jewish/Old Testament names in circulation.

skihorse · 16/11/2009 08:36

He would be about that age... I met him at school on the Shetland Islands 22 years ago but I think he was originally from Liverpool?

akhems · 16/11/2009 08:34

skihorse is he about 38 with long dreads?

skihorse · 16/11/2009 07:31

akhems Sounds like the one and only Reuben I've come across!

I'm Jewish and I don't think Reuben is solely "ours".

MollieO · 15/11/2009 16:56

I used to know a Reuben and he was Puerto Rican.

mathanxiety · 15/11/2009 16:54

It's very popular in the Spanish speaking Americas. I think it used to be more of a 'Jewish' name, but not really any more.

MaggiePie · 15/11/2009 16:44

It's mainstream and the christian old testament is the jewish testament,s o it's fine imo.

Having said that though, I think it is extrememly inappropriate to use something like Ezra, especially for a girl, and 'just cos I like it'. arhghghg. So I do feel 'inappropriateness' if you see what I mean.

Firawla · 15/11/2009 13:36

I wouldnt automatically presume its a jewish person with that name, I know of a few non Jewish Reuben i think its a mainstream name

BeehiveBaby · 15/11/2009 12:44

Had no idea that it was meant to be Jewish

BikeRunSki · 15/11/2009 12:37

It's fine. I know three- 40, 30 and 6 months, and none are Jewish. I suppose all Old Testament names are technically Jewish, but I am sure that a great many Adams, Sarahs, Rebeccas and Benjamins out there are not. As well as Reubens!

Original poster
suzimum · 15/11/2009 12:34

Thanks for the feedback!

OP posts:
purpleduck · 15/11/2009 11:36

Its fine!

NowtonTelly · 15/11/2009 11:23

I know three Reubens (two adults and a child). Only one of them is Jewish.

Lovely name.

bellissima · 15/11/2009 11:21

It's also very Cold Comfort Farm/Emmerdale. Along with Seth etc. So not necessarily Jewish.

I certainly know a non-Jewish Reuben (some of my best friends are from Cold Comfort Farm!). Generally know as Ben.

I think a lot of names - Naomi, Rebecca whatever could be Jewish could be not. Who cares? I quite like Reuben.

Ineedsomesleep · 15/11/2009 10:54

Don't think that all of the parents who had a Reuben around here have worried about it being a Jewish name. Just a guess though as there are roughly 6 Jews in the city and about a thousand Reubens.

akhems · 15/11/2009 10:46

I have a friend called Reuben and he's not Jewish at all.. in fact he's half English and half Trinidadian, lol

ninedragons · 15/11/2009 10:42

I agree with nomoralfibre.

A generation ago, names like Isaac, Abraham and Reuben would have been unquestionably Jewish. Now they're mainstream. Reuben is lovely, really gorgeous.

nomoralfibre · 15/11/2009 10:32

Think it's pretty mainstream these days- old testament names are very popular generally- but it wouldn't really bother me if people thought me or my kids were Jewish anyway. I think it's a great name.

moondog · 15/11/2009 10:30

Don't like it.
Whether you are Jewish, Zoroastrian or Buddhist.