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.

There are many hebrew names that are in common use.........

Abigail, Jacob, Noah, loads more.

My own name is very Jewish, so what? I'm not religious.

btw, if DC2 is a boy I would love to go for Seth or Reuben, but not sure DP would agree.

No, it's very popular nowadays

5 years ago I would have thought so (I am Jewish, btw) but now I've met so many non-Jewish childrent with old testament names that I've realised that they have just become generally popular. And nothing wrong with that. The only one I actually object to is Levi, but that's another issue.

Before you change the name, though, it's worth considering that people do make comments about names - even names that seem completely unobjectionable. Sometimes they are just looking for something to say. My dd has an uncommon but not weird or made up name. I'm always being asked if I made it up or if it's French (it's not - I just explain that to them). My son is Isaac and I've had people ask me why I chose to spell it that way. Sometimes you just need to be prepared to explain or roll your eyes and move on.

No. It is a name traditionally used by Jewish, but that is because it is old testament. Doesn't mean it is exclusively Jewish. (We got the same comments when we were considering Isaac for a boys name)

All the Reubens I know are first sons of Christian families. I believe it means 'behold, a son'?

DO NOT change the name because of comments such as these. you will regret it always. Reuben is a great name - and more importantly it is your son's name.

tryingtoleave, what about Ezra "cos we like it" which I saw a while back! (for a girl I might add). I thought that was really bad. I'd have been ashamed of my parents ignorance. or am i too harsh?

Ezra for a girl is AWFUL. But otherwise, my immediate association for Ezra is Ezra Pound, who was anti-semitic, so I'd have mixed feelings about it anyway.

Yes I would. Not having seen this thread, I just posted as much on a baby name thread a few minutes ago!

It?s a fantastic name butall the Reubens I?ve known have been Jewish (although this is possibly more true in North America?)

My DH has a very Jewish-sounding first name and second name, so people are always assuming he's Jewish (especially his Israeli students - he's a lecturer). But it's really never been a problem. Don't see why you should worry.

My maternal grandfather was Reuben and Jewish. My pal at school was Reuben and not at all Jewish. tbh I wouldn't make an assumption either way.

No.

Reuven, yes: Reuben, no.

I love the name, know two young Reubens from Christian families, so not necessarily Jewish but Christian, yes.

I wouldn't assume that a Reuben was Jewish and nor would I expect people to make the assumption that we are Jewish because we have a Miriam.

If people ask you/your son if you have Jewish roots just tell them the truth; "no, but we liked the name".

Reuben is a lovely name - stick with it!

All 3 of mine have Hebrew/bible names and we are not Jewish. Call him what you want, Reuben is a lovely name.Ignore what other people think and good luck.

Yup, I would assume that (depends on last name as well, though). I don't think your DS will ever get annoyed that people may occasionally ask if he's Jewish though, will he?

its a lovely name.

I am jewish but wouldn't necessarily think that someone with the name would be jewish any more than joshua, benjamin, david.

names like isaac, moses, abraham i think more likely to be jewish? anyway reuben is the anglicised version - the hebrew version is reuven (just like hebrew version of gabriel is gavriel, or hebrew version of abigail is avigail)

both DC in a state jewish school. i have a whole school list, lots of benajmins, jonathans, gabriels, raphael's, jacobs but no reubens.

I think most names in the Western world come from the biblical times and therefore may be seen as Hebrew names (if that makes sense).

I absolutely love both male and female Jewish names and gave DS two, including his middle name. A couple of peole asked me and DH if we were Jewish, which we are not, but it didn't bother me at all.

Congrats on your baby and go with the name you love, not with one that you think other people might like.

Thank you all ever so much for posting. I thought I'd get a couple of posts back, so am pleasantly surprised by the level of response - thank you.
Counting them all up, there are 11 who say they would assume, 42 who say they wouldn't assume.
MumNWLondon - your post makes for interesting reading. The only other alternatives we'd consider would be Benjamin (which I love), Tobyn and Daniel anyway! DH also thinks DS is now a Reuben, that it is the only name we both really like and that it doesn't matter.
StewieGriffinsMom - it wouldn't be a 'problem', but the assumption brings with it a whole host of perceptions in terms of attitudes and beliefs, which may or may not contradict with our own family beliefs. Neither is right or wrong, but I guess it could create a different impression and I guess I was questioning with myself whether it was appropriate.
Anyway, I think we are going to stick with it, given we don't like any other name as much, our surname is very un-Jewish sounding and that it seems to be increasing in popularity and so he may not even consider it as he grows up.
I do over-think everything
Thanks again - it's so good to get some feedback.

Hurrah!

tryingtoleave - can I ask why you object to Levi?
I have vetoed it for dc5, and we like Lev. I am just curious (nosy!)

I;ve not read thread, just initial question.

First off congrats on your baby boy. How exciting and what a lovely name.

I am Jewish and DH is not. We both like name Reuben but I have vetoed it for our future kids (ttc but not pg yet) because we intend to bring our children up to appreciate both our faiths (though realistically because we both veer towards athiesm that faith will not be a major part of their life) and I do feel that Reuben is very Jewish and consequently it would be making more of the child's Jewishness than the other side when we want to play it very even handed if that makes sense.

On the other hand, especially if they have their father's non Jewish surname (my surname is very Jewish) I do want there to be something Jewish about their names so think if my dh agrees a son would have David or Reuben as a middle name (they are my two favourite Jewish names).

Incidentally I know several kids called Ben or called Roo (both of which Reuben may be shortened to) who aren't Jewish.

Also another point is that Reuben is old testament but Christians have the old testament as well as the new testament so it is as much their name as a Jewish name.

Final point is as a Jewish person I do not feel ownership over the name and do not think it odd that you called your son Reuben - it is a lovely name.

x

Just though of another point - I also know an adult Asian Ruben who is hindu - I think it is an asian name too.

We've discounted it as being too Jewish (we are Jewish) and felt that it was too labelling with a foreign sounding surname which we have and have gone for something more generic if we have a boy

Levites here. The tribe had priestly functions.