Would you assume a 'Reuben' is Jewish?

My maternal grandfather was Reuben and Jewish. My pal at school was Reuben and not at all Jewish. tbh I wouldn't make an assumption either way.

My DH has a very Jewish-sounding first name and second name, so people are always assuming he's Jewish (especially his Israeli students - he's a lecturer). But it's really never been a problem. Don't see why you should worry.

Yes I would. Not having seen this thread, I just posted as much on a baby name thread a few minutes ago!

It?s a fantastic name butall the Reubens I?ve known have been Jewish (although this is possibly more true in North America?)

Ezra for a girl is AWFUL. But otherwise, my immediate association for Ezra is Ezra Pound, who was anti-semitic, so I'd have mixed feelings about it anyway.

tryingtoleave, what about Ezra "cos we like it" which I saw a while back! (for a girl I might add). I thought that was really bad. I'd have been ashamed of my parents ignorance. or am i too harsh?

No. It is a name traditionally used by Jewish, but that is because it is old testament. Doesn't mean it is exclusively Jewish. (We got the same comments when we were considering Isaac for a boys name)

All the Reubens I know are first sons of Christian families. I believe it means 'behold, a son'?

DO NOT change the name because of comments such as these. you will regret it always. Reuben is a great name - and more importantly it is your son's name.

5 years ago I would have thought so (I am Jewish, btw) but now I've met so many non-Jewish childrent with old testament names that I've realised that they have just become generally popular. And nothing wrong with that. The only one I actually object to is Levi, but that's another issue.

Before you change the name, though, it's worth considering that people do make comments about names - even names that seem completely unobjectionable. Sometimes they are just looking for something to say. My dd has an uncommon but not weird or made up name. I'm always being asked if I made it up or if it's French (it's not - I just explain that to them). My son is Isaac and I've had people ask me why I chose to spell it that way. Sometimes you just need to be prepared to explain or roll your eyes and move on.

No, it's very popular nowadays

btw, if DC2 is a boy I would love to go for Seth or Reuben, but not sure DP would agree.

There are many hebrew names that are in common use.........

Abigail, Jacob, Noah, loads more.

My own name is very Jewish, so what? I'm not religious.

Matthew, Mark & John are good jewish names. David is also a jewish name. How about Redbin?

i would not automatically think he was jewish. it is a lovely name.

i have misplaced my huge book of baby names right when i need it since DH and myself can't decide on DSbumps name but when i did have it, it was surprising just how many names we see as good old english are actually hebrew. most tbh.

Oh, I also know a Swedish non-Jewish Ruben.

Go for it; it's a great name.

the only Ruben I know is Jewish but that wouldn't influence me either way, I like the name

I wouldn't use it myself for this reason (ie the fact that I am not Jewish). I feel the same way about Rachel and Rebecca FWIW.

But I would certainly not assume a connection in anyone else (I am fully aware this makes me sound illgical ).

I know 2 small Reubens and neither is Jewish AFAIK. I think if you love it you should go for it. People will always say odd things - a friend has a DD with an unusual and slightly old-fashioned name and she gets "Is that a family name?" a lot

I also know a family with Josiah, Elijah, Malachi and Noah and they are deffo not Jewish!

COngratulations btw.

At the end of the day there are many many things worse than having someone think you have Jewish connections.

I'm not Jewish but I find the culture and history really interesting. I don't think Reuben sounds overly Jewish, but even if people did think that I personally wouldn't mind at all. I would correct them and say I didn't but it would certainly not annoy or upset me.

There is absolutely no reason to change the name

I think it is a fantastic name, and one of my ds's has it. I was told by a Dr Ruban that there are many versions of the name which come from many different sources, his name came from Sanskrit origins. I am really glad I chose it and it was only my dad who thought it was Jewish, no one else has made any religious links.

I know 3 Reubens and none of them are Jewish or have any Jewish heritage.

I wouldn't assume anything - I just think it's a lovely name! I say stick with it

My first thought was of the sandwich - I wouldn't have thought it was Jewish.

Having said that, DD's middle name is Rebecca, and when we told the (Catholic) priest her names prior to baptism, he said 'ooh, how Jewish!' (but then he is a weirdo)...

I wouldn't have thought it was a Jewish name, I do like it though.

I would wonder if he was, but not assume it. The only young Reuben I know isn't Jewish. I agree that as the name becomes more popular, it will be adopted by many more non-Jews and will lose its Jewish connotations.

And of course there's nothing wrong with people thinking you're Jewish

It's becoming more a cosmopolitan name.

Until very recently would have assumed automatically a person with this name was Jewish, as a Luca is an Italian, but talking with a couple of Jewish friends, they wouldn't consider using it.

Congratulations.

I have a friend whose son is Rueben, she lives in Germany and is not Jewish. Her son is in his early 20s now. When we first met I thought she was vair posh - her other DCs have similar names.

I would not assume Rueben was a Jewish name and I lived in Germany for 15years.