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.

As others have said, there's a definite trend over the last few years for WASPs to give their kids names which would have been seen as unambiguously Jewish in our youth.
That said, I'd still class Reuben as being on the "probably Jewish" side of the line rather than the "trendy/posh WASP" side. As you can see, quite a lot of other people still would, whilst others are a bit more up to date and wouldn't.

That means that you're being a tiny bit cutting edge in your choice, and you'll have to explain "No, we just thought it was a nice name" a tedious number of times until the fashion filters all the way down.

Only you can decide whether you like the name enough to put up with a few boring questions.

I'd thought you were American rather than Jewish tbh, as the two Reubens I know are from the States (one Jewish, one not).

Lovely name, go for it.

I'd think

I wouldn't assume Jewish in a younger boy, i'd put it with Jacob and Isaac as a name that is used by people from any background now. Names like Solomon and Abraham I would still think are Jewish names.

Some people are still going to think of it as a Jewish name though so it is likely you will get asked occasionally. DH has a very Catholic name and has people joking with him about being an alter boy etc before they even know if he is Catholic or not so if you think it would bother you then I wouldn't use it.

As it is a Hebrew name that is still used by a lot of Jews (even more so on the Continent, it seems), you're going to have to accept that some people will assume/ask that you are jewish.

I like it, also wouldn't assume Jewish. The only Reuben I ever knew was African/Caribbean and not Jewish.

Crikey, what a mixed bag - thanks all for posting and raising some really good points. I'm going to mill it over for a few days, but DH and I are going to look through possible alternatives this evening. I'm not sure what we'll do - it feels a shame to not use it as his name, as we both love it, but then I am worried I will regret it, particularly if DS gets annnoyed by the assumption / question when he is older (but then, I guess that will be 20 years away).

Thanks for posting - it's appreciated.

It wouldn't occur to me to ask that. In today's society we are accepting of all manner of weird and wonderful names - people just name their children something because they simply like it and I don't think Reuben jumps out as being Jewish. I've known lots of non-Irish Caitlins, a non-Spanish Juanitia and a whole host of random made-up names! I don't think for a minute people of your DS's generation will ask him if he's Jewish, certainly not often enough for it to be a problem. Don't make any hasty changes. Congratulations on your new baby boy!

The only Reubens I have ever come across are US-Hispanic -- it's popular in Spanish-speaking circles in the US, and presumably in Central America and Mexico.

Reuben has firmly crossed over into white bread and mayo territory: I really don't think anyone would ask, let alone think you had chosen a Jewish name for religious reasons in even 10 years, let alone 20. And what's wrong with being taken for Jewish anyway?

Congratulations.

I have a friend whose son is Rueben, she lives in Germany and is not Jewish. Her son is in his early 20s now. When we first met I thought she was vair posh - her other DCs have similar names.

I would not assume Rueben was a Jewish name and I lived in Germany for 15years.

It's becoming more a cosmopolitan name.

Until very recently would have assumed automatically a person with this name was Jewish, as a Luca is an Italian, but talking with a couple of Jewish friends, they wouldn't consider using it.

I would wonder if he was, but not assume it. The only young Reuben I know isn't Jewish. I agree that as the name becomes more popular, it will be adopted by many more non-Jews and will lose its Jewish connotations.

And of course there's nothing wrong with people thinking you're Jewish

I wouldn't have thought it was a Jewish name, I do like it though.

My first thought was of the sandwich - I wouldn't have thought it was Jewish.

Having said that, DD's middle name is Rebecca, and when we told the (Catholic) priest her names prior to baptism, he said 'ooh, how Jewish!' (but then he is a weirdo)...

I wouldn't assume anything - I just think it's a lovely name! I say stick with it

I know 3 Reubens and none of them are Jewish or have any Jewish heritage.

I think it is a fantastic name, and one of my ds's has it. I was told by a Dr Ruban that there are many versions of the name which come from many different sources, his name came from Sanskrit origins. I am really glad I chose it and it was only my dad who thought it was Jewish, no one else has made any religious links.

At the end of the day there are many many things worse than having someone think you have Jewish connections.

I'm not Jewish but I find the culture and history really interesting. I don't think Reuben sounds overly Jewish, but even if people did think that I personally wouldn't mind at all. I would correct them and say I didn't but it would certainly not annoy or upset me.

There is absolutely no reason to change the name

I wouldn't use it myself for this reason (ie the fact that I am not Jewish). I feel the same way about Rachel and Rebecca FWIW.

But I would certainly not assume a connection in anyone else (I am fully aware this makes me sound illgical ).

I know 2 small Reubens and neither is Jewish AFAIK. I think if you love it you should go for it. People will always say odd things - a friend has a DD with an unusual and slightly old-fashioned name and she gets "Is that a family name?" a lot

I also know a family with Josiah, Elijah, Malachi and Noah and they are deffo not Jewish!

COngratulations btw.

the only Ruben I know is Jewish but that wouldn't influence me either way, I like the name

Oh, I also know a Swedish non-Jewish Ruben.

Go for it; it's a great name.

i would not automatically think he was jewish. it is a lovely name.

i have misplaced my huge book of baby names right when i need it since DH and myself can't decide on DSbumps name but when i did have it, it was surprising just how many names we see as good old english are actually hebrew. most tbh.

Matthew, Mark & John are good jewish names. David is also a jewish name. How about Redbin?