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Baby names

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Original poster

The name Reuben

40 replies

BabyLlamaZen · 04/09/2020 08:57

what do you think of when you hear or read it? What other names do you think are similar?

used to love it but it's so popular

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BertieBotts · 04/09/2020 08:58

I can never spell it, can never remember if it's ue or eu. If that would bother you.

zingally · 04/09/2020 09:00

I don't mind it, and it's not common round here. I can only think of one Reuben of all the many, many kids I know (school teacher), and he's about 8.

I associate it with those sorts of names that everyone knows and thinks are "fine", but actually you don't know any kids called that. Names like Michael, Paul, John, Richard. Names you kind of associate with men in their 40s.

ImaSababa · 04/09/2020 09:02

I know a couple of Reubens. Lovely name. Makes me think of Reuben sandwiches, which ain't a bad thing.

ParadiseLaundry · 04/09/2020 09:03

I really like it. I definitely considered it with my 2 DSs. I think the first place I heard it was on Neighbours in the 1990s, I think he was Helen Daniels gentleman friend Grin

mistermagpie · 04/09/2020 09:03

It's not common at all where I live, I've never met a single one in my life!

It was actually my second choice for name for my DS2 but there was something that put me off. I think I just didn't like the way it looked written down, and it was off the list by the time I had my next baby. Who weirdly is nicknamed 'Roo' even though that doesn't have much to do with her actual name (she was a girl in the end) but had just evolved.

Original poster
BabyLlamaZen · 04/09/2020 09:09

Interesting as it was all over little kids in London! Maybe just the areas I was in.

Does it have a ugh dare I say it any class associations, or naughty vs soft vs whacky type connotations? 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Sportsnight · 04/09/2020 09:10

It’s lovely. It’s a predominantly Jewish name which might explain why you’ll hear it more in certain parts of London. Would have been on my list if we’d had a boy!

BuffaloCauliflower · 04/09/2020 09:11

Nice name. I know one who’s a grown up.

Original poster
BabyLlamaZen · 04/09/2020 09:13

do you think it's acceptable to be used by someone who isn't Jewish? Blush

OP posts:
Scubalubs87 · 04/09/2020 09:21

For reasons I can’t quite work out, I can’t bear this name. Makes me cringe a bit but I don’t know why. It’s definitely having a moment where I am in the the SE - I’ve come across quite a few baby Reubens in the last couple of years. None of those children are from Jewish backgrounds either.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 04/09/2020 09:22

It reminds me of the movie Along Came Polly.

Astronica · 04/09/2020 10:05

I don't like it. It feels country hick to me. I do however love Rufus and Rupert which just seem a lot cooler and smarter. I expect to be in the minority on this though - I know of a few Reubens.

Angel2702 · 04/09/2020 10:10

I know quite a few where we are.

Pearsapiece · 04/09/2020 10:11

Not a fan of reuben but can't put my finger on why. I love Rupert though which is similar (and may be my ds name!)

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 04/09/2020 10:12

I think it’s fine. I know a few but I don’t think it’s massively overused. The ones I know are from all sorts of different background but I don’t think any of them are Jewish. I don’t think that’s an issue

justanotherneighinparadise · 04/09/2020 10:13

I do t like it but it’s very popular locally so I must be ab exception.

Firebird83 · 04/09/2020 10:15

I think it’s getting popular, I know quite a few toddlers called Reuben.

boredboredboredboredbored · 04/09/2020 10:18

Love it!

FeedMeSantiago · 04/09/2020 10:40

I know two young Reubens and one Rúben (Portugese parents). None of them are Jewish. The youngest is a toddler, the other two are primary school age.

I think R names for boys are increasingly popular - Roman/Rowan/Rohan/Ronan and Reuben too.

Polkasquare · 04/09/2020 10:43

Just look at the ONS statistics and you see exactly how popular ( or not) names are!

Ojj37 · 04/09/2020 10:59

I’ve always loved it

itsjakeandamy · 04/09/2020 11:10

I like it. I remember a friend using it 20 years ago and thinking it very "out there" and brave. Now I consider it very mainstream. It fits with all the other biblical names which are making a comeback eg Amos but is a bit more common. Because it's biblical I don't see that it's odd to use it without being Jewish.
I do much prefer Rufus though which I think is much more stylish.

unmarkedbythat · 04/09/2020 11:14

I love it as a name.

I don't think it has any particular associations for me, I just really like it. I suppose in my mind it is filed as 'classic, timeless'.

PapaPoule · 04/09/2020 11:21

Association for me is a variant - "The Hurricane" Rubin Carter.

Love the name, but I'm very big on Jewish names (not Jewish myself) anyway, and had it on the shortlist for my DS because I like the meaning "behold a son".

Ultimately didn't like the connotations of the diminutive "Rube" though, so went a different way in the end.

Flymetothestars · 04/09/2020 12:28

It's way too popular for me and sounds too similar to names like Roman which are also getting majorly popular at the same time as Reuben so I'd avoid. Would have considered a few years ago maybe. Not now