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Baby names

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Original poster

Would you assume a 'Reuben' is Jewish?

110 replies

sheeplikessleep · 11/03/2010 09:37

Honest thoughts please.
Both DH and I love the name Reuben, in fact the only name we both agree on. Our DS was born on Sunday and once we've said his name, we've had different people ask if we're Jewish, which we aren't. Is my DS going to face this question throughout his life? Is it an inappropriate name as we have no Jewish links whatsoever? Would appreciate thoughts please - thanks.

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BalloonSlayer · 11/03/2010 10:18

Oh sorry YanknCock - I was told that by an American friend a few years ago. She was Jewish! So maybe she had a skewed perspective.

Lemonmeringue · 11/03/2010 10:16

It's just fashion - biblical names were pretty universal here (do I just mean England?) at one time, then some fell out of favour, but many are making a comeback. It's a shared cultural heritage. David was Jewish. So was Jesus.

Jesus, now there's a thread of its own (popular in Latin America, I think).

tartyhighheels · 11/03/2010 10:16

lovely name but yes, in my mind a Jewish name

nickytwotimes · 11/03/2010 10:14

yes, Yank.

luciemule · 11/03/2010 10:13

I would probably assume yes but that's only because I only know one Reuben who I went to school with and he was Jewish. Having said that, both of my chidlrens' names have Hebrew origin (I like Hebew names) and we're not jewish, although their names aren't really recognised today as being particularly jewish.
Choose it if you like it - why not? but yes, you might have lots of people asking if you're jewish but that wouldn't bother me.

YanknCock · 11/03/2010 10:13

ooh, does that mean I'm posh too? Reuben was on my list for awhile!

nickytwotimes · 11/03/2010 10:10

Oh, yeah, ahem, me too, sheep.

bellissima · 11/03/2010 10:09

I know a Reuben (non-Jewish) born late sixties cos there was a TV adaptation of Cold Comfort Farm. I tend to put Reuben in that category - along with Seth, Jed etc (even Noah, which could also be Jewish).

Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 11/03/2010 10:08

nickytwotimes - posh is fine we definitel are

OP posts:
YanknCock · 11/03/2010 10:07

'BTW in America David is considered a Jewish name.'

Ummmm.....NO, it isn't.

Megglevache · 11/03/2010 10:07

Yes. It's a great name, congratulations.

I'm sure couples of Oisin's and Padraig's are asked if they're Irish too, even if they're not IYSWIM.

BalloonSlayer · 11/03/2010 10:06

No I wouldn't.

However I have a son with a Hebrew name. I wanted another Hebrew name as his middle name, but DH thought that would sound as if we were Jewish. Nothing wrong with that of course, just misleading as we are not. The example he gave is that other DS has a Welsh name, which is OK but if he had a Welsh middle name too that would also be misleading as we are not Welsh.

BTW in America David is considered a Jewish name.

Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 11/03/2010 10:05

sayitisn'tso - don't apologise, i asked for honest posts, as i wanted to gauge how close the association is. thaks fr posting. sorry 1 handed typing!

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 11/03/2010 10:05

I wouldn't.

Quite posh, but nowt wrong with that.

Nice name.

Incidentally I am Catholic and have a Daniel and (potentially if this bump is female) a Sarah. Both old Hebrew names. Hebrew names are fabulous.

annasophia · 11/03/2010 10:03

I'm German and to me Reuben (or Ruben in German) definately sounds jewish. But perhaps names in the UK are becoming more culturally neutral?

YanknCock · 11/03/2010 10:02

Stick with it I think, you liked it enough to name him that, who cares if people ask?

If they say 'isn't it a Jewish name?' you're prepared now to say 'No more than Joshua, Benjamin, or Daniel'

I've got a cousin who named her baby Elijah, and they are very very Christian.

SayHitIsntSo · 11/03/2010 10:01

I actually think it IS more "Jewish" than Isaac, David or Jacob....sorry OP....

bobblehat · 11/03/2010 09:56

It's a lovely name. Would agree it's no more Jewish than Isaac, Jacob or David. I think people sometimes ask questions like that to see if there are any family connections (it was my great grandad's name etc).

I know several Reubens and it's never crossed my mind if they're Jewish or not.

Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 11/03/2010 09:53

thanks - oh blimey, not sure what to do! dh thinks we stick with it, but such a regret if ds hates being asked this and is asked it.

OP posts:
Lemonmeringue · 11/03/2010 09:53

The Bible is an old Hebrew document...

Lemonmeringue · 11/03/2010 09:51

And congratulations.

Lemonmeringue · 11/03/2010 09:50

Don't see why - Old Testament names are popular with Jews, Christians and neither. I think at one time Aaron, Jacob and Isaac might have been considered mainly Jewish names, but not so much now.

I just had a look at a list of OT boys' names - young Abraham and Moses you might perhaps still assume to be Jewish babies, but Benjamin, Caleb, Jesse, Jordan? Anyone for Hosea?

Bonsoir · 11/03/2010 09:50

I think it depends on whether you think your DS is likely to travel around to different countries or not. There is quite a lot to be said for choosing a name that is reasonably culturally neutral and/or reflects your own cultural heritage IMO.

YanknCock · 11/03/2010 09:50

Lots of names are old Hebrew names!

Sarah for example....

CaptainPicardsPineapple · 11/03/2010 09:49

No, I wouldn't.

I love it, one of my favourites.