Would 'Reuben' get shortened to 'Ben'?

[Lovage]

My favourite boy's name is 'Reuben', but for reasons of family history I have really bad associations with the name 'Ben'. Do you think a child called Reuben would get abbreviated to 'Ben' once he's in school? At home we could call him 'Rube' for short but I know, from teacher friends, that once they get into school they often get nicknamed to the more obvious shortening.

If he was likely to end up being called 'Ben' I would rather not name him Reuben, that's how much I hate the associations of that name (apols to all parents of Bens - nothing against the name itself, just the person it makes me think of)

I think Rube is the more obvious shortening.

My friend's ds is Reuben and he gets called Ru.

I'd never even thought of calling a Reuben, Ben.
I'd shorten it to Ru if it was someone I knew.

Rube or Rubes seem more likely.

I know a Reuben - has always been Ru, Ruby and Rubes. Had never thought of Ben - don't personally think it's an obvious shortening.

BUT I agree that once they hit school, shortenings can be a bit out of your control ....

"Ruuuuuuube" shouted across the playground unless they are trying to tease the lad and then he will get "Ruuuuuuby" with a big smirk
Been in many playgrounds with quite a few Reubens over the years and never heard any of them shortened to Ben

I have a Reuben and he used to get called Ruby, Roo, or Rubes as a baby. Now he insists that he is only called Reuben (or Luke Skywalker, or The Doctor depending on the game!!).

Oh, this is very reassuring, thank you. Anyone disagree and think he would be quite likely to get called Ben?

My friend's little boy is always Ru.

I know Reuben and it never gets shortened to Ben

I just love the name, its fab!!!
don't think he would get shortened to Ben, more Ru or Rube

Rube usually. Friend has a 19yr old son called Reuben. Shortened to Rube and his gf is Ruby also shortened to Rube

Not normally,you would have to lead the way and have people say"way didnt you call him Benjamin,then"?

i know someone who has shortened Rueben to Ben - but I thought for ages it was short for Benjamin, think it's just he prefers Ben to Ru or similar - he's chosen how to introduce himself

Favourite son?, I feel bad for your children

I don't think it would because the emphasis is different.

I can only think you'd land on Ben if it was your own name and you were looking for all potential related nicknames/short-forms that you liked best.

The name is pronounced 'RUH-buhn', so there's no actual 'Ben' sound to be heard in there - it's just the unstressed ending to the stressed main syllable. I think it would sort of be the equivalent of calling somebody with the name Timothy 'Moth' or even Alan 'Ann' !

Favourite son?, I feel bad for your children

Eh? Did you misinterpret OP saying "My favourite boy's name" - i.e. the male baby name she likes best rather than the name of her existing preferred-of-two-or-more sons?

I'm assuming she doesn't yet have a son, otherwise he would probably already be called Reuben and she wouldn't have started the thread! In fact, considering the name means 'behold, a son!', it would be quite an odd name to choose (imho) for a second or subsequent son - kind of suggesting that the first son didn't bring you the same happy surprise.

Ru

This is a zombie 🧟‍♂️, revived by a weird misinterpretation!

Wow, yes! Reuben will probably be having his own children before too long

I have a brother called Reuben and never has he ever been shortened to Ben or associated with that name. It's such a lovely name too!

The kid will be 13 now

I wouldn't think so! I'd say Roo