Ely, Ezra, Reuben - old testament names but not Jewish

[RTchoke]

I love Ely (fullhane Elias), Ezra and Reuben but not only are we not Jewish - our surname is very Welsh.

What do people think of using these names for non-Jewish kids? And are there others I might like but have not thought of?

I like them, Caleb too or Benjamin

All my favourite boys' name are OT and I'm not Jewish - I know three or four non-Jewish Reubens so that one I think is definitely mainstream; Ezra I'd think Pound; Eli I was actually discussing with DH last night (his latest suggestion for theoretical DC2) - I think you might have to be either Jewish or black...

I don't think they used NNs in OT times.

Also -- your DH is wrong about Eli/Ely. The name Eli is pronounced EE-lye. Ely is a place with a spectacular cathedral in Cambridgeshire and pronounced E-lee.

All the names you have in mind are lovely imo.

Other names you might think of using:
Jacob
Isaac
Zachary
Isaiah
Noah
Adam
Gabriel
Samuel
Daniel
Jeremiah
Amos
Silas

I'm not sure your DH is necessarily wrong, but Ely is the less common alternative of Eli and as others have said is likely to be mispronounced as Ee-lee.

Eli is a lovely name.

ok I think these names are lovely and fine if not jewish.

however, they most definitely are more commonly jewish, so people might think that. nothing wrong with that!!! you just correct if necessary. My surname is german (catholic) but everyone thinks I am jewish because of it...its no big deal. I just say no I am not.

as a note, every single Reuben, Elijah, Zachary, Noah, Jacob that I know ARE jewish.

I loved the OT names Asher, and Judah but couldn't get DH to agree. I think Ezra is lovely. I knew a female Ezra once, too.

What about Simeon, or Isaiah?

May I add that I know lots of people with those names and they are NOT Jewish, and I do know also lots of Jewish folks from Israel and from other countries.
And it was mentioned here a few times, that the OT is the book of both religions and I wanted to add it is actually the book of three religions, as Islam is based on the OT as well.
And you find plenty of Christian and Muslim Arabs, for example with those names, maybe not in the UK??? but definitely elsewhere.

Love all the names mathanxiety suggested, minus Silas BUT I have a friend who is a renowned Transplant surgeon who comes from a family who are doctors for many generations and they are devout Christians, if this is even relevant