Would you assume a 'Reuben' is Jewish?

[sheeplikessleep]

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.

5 years ago I may have assumed that he is jewish but it is becoming more popular now and I have come across quite a few and none of them are jewish.

No I know 2 and neither of them are Jewish. Lovely name. Congratulations

Thanks for posting - I'm on day 5 now, so feeling a bit hormonal about the name and people's 'helpful' comments.

I would, to be honest. Still a nice name, though.

No, not at all. I've known 3 R's and not one has been Jewish. Lovely name, my SIL's favourite ever name. Congrats!

Yes, I would. But here in France the distinction between Jewish and Christian first names is much more distinct that in the UK.

i wouldn't

i think it is a tip top name

really strong

Hmmm, maybe we do need to think this through. Least we have 6 weeks to be sure
Thanks for posting

It is an old Hebrew name, so yes I would assume that you had Jewish connections.

I've got a Reuben in my family tree (family of German ancestry living in U.S.). Definitely was Catholic. We even considered it for DS and we are not Jewish.

No, I wouldn't.

I love it, one of my favourites.

Lots of names are old Hebrew names!

Sarah for example....

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.

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?

And congratulations.

The Bible is an old Hebrew document...

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.