Rueben

[PregnantAtLast]

Me and DH both like the name Reuben, but a relative pointed out the other week that it's a Jewish name and people will assume we're Jewish if we use it.

Is this true? I thought the name Reuben was becoming more popular generally?

No, it’s a popular name and I don’t think people will assume you’re Jewish. I mean, what does it matter if they do, anyway? Just put them straight if necessary.

I know a few Reubens, none of them are Jewish, so that certainly wouldn’t be my assumption ☺️

It's a sandwich to me

Cute name

I prefer Ruben, I wouldn’t assume you’re Jewish.

Would never think it was Jewish. Sounds lovely

Decide your spelling!

You've spelt it differently in the title to the OP. I dislike the one you have in the OP. I know you can spell it that way but it looks incorrect to me.

I don't think Reuben is particularly Jewish. It's reasonably fashionable at the moment without being too fashionable. It popularity doesnt suggest Jewish. Just biblical.

I have a Reuben. No one assumes we are Jewish (despite DDs name also being traditionally Jewish as well).

You have fallen into the classic trap of this name though - spelt it wrongly in the title. It is constantly misspelt. Depends how much that irritates you...

I immediately thought of two Dutch comedians, who are not Jewish as far as I know.

I'd be concerned about your DS having to correct the spelling too often, as I think many would assume Ruben not Reuben.

I do like it and have a friend with the name. I can never remember the correct spelling so that is annoying and other people will spell it wrong.

Very popular here in the Jewish community but wouldn't think that is any issue.

Twenty+ years ago it seemed to be a name predominantly used by Jewish people. Now it's very mainstream. None of the young boys I know called Reuben are Jewish (and I know a fair few under the age of 8, around me).

Lots of biblical names are having a moment right now. Reuben, Noah, Caleb, Jude, Isaac, Ezra, Elijah. Often used by non-religious people. They're just a current trend.

Use what you love. Definitely spell it Reuben though!

Reuben is very common boy’s name, no one will think you’re Jewish. I know several Reubens.

I wouldn't think it was any more Jewish than the likes of Noah, Caleb, Jacob, Ezra, Joel - all very popular names at the minute! I'd think Biblical, not Jewish.

I was asked a couple of times if I was Jewish when my now teenage Reuben was a baby never since.

I've a Reuben. Never been asked if I'm Jewish!

Reuben, not Rueben. You've spelled it in two different ways. I don't think it's an uncommon name. I quite like it.

Both of my children have Jewish names but we are not Jewish , No one has ever questioned it .

We have an almost 11 year old Reuben no one has ever assumed he is Jewish, his name however is forever being mis spelt!!!!

This.

I’d say if you can’t spell it, you probably shouldn’t choose it.

Love Reuben/Ruben! I think there are names that are traditionally Jewish but have become more widely used and it is one, I wouldn't assume a Reuben/Ruben was Jewish. A Mordechai/Amitai though...

Also definitely don't spell it Rueben! I know a little girl with a misspelled version of Phoebe - it looks like a typo as it's not a name like Catherine with many accepted spellings.

In England, by far the most common spelling is Reuben. It's firmly in the top 50.

Ruben seems to be used on the continent (especially Western Europe - Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Netherlands etc), but not so much here. I think you'd definitely have to put up with people spelling it wrong, if you choose a name with different accepted spellings, but I disagree that many people will assume it's spelt Ruben. The stats tell a very different story. Reuben is the spelling most British people will be familiar with seeing.

Both are far preferable to Rueben though!

I know of a Phebe... make my teeth itch! An Issac too 😬

About the spelling, I think that Ruben is also most common in the USA, perhaps because that's also the Spanish-language spelling (although the traditional form is Rubén, with the emphasis on the second syllable). Reuben or Ruben would both be OK in the UK.

It's a name with origins and roots in Hebrew, but I wouldn't assume that Reuben/Ruben had any Jewish heritage or connection - just as I wouldn't have assumed thirty years ago that a Benjamin or a Daniel or a Jonathan did.