Honest opinions: WHat do you think of the name Reuben for a boy?

Question

Your first impressions, and anything else.

I have always liked the name but someone said it reminded them of an old man.

eh? Sandwich?? WHy do you think that? What does Reuben have to do with sandwich - please explain !!

Answer 1

I LOVE this name. I find it to be terribly underrated (but hey, it's better than being terribly overrated, in my opinion!)

Have you seen the movie "Road Trip?" There is a character on there named Reuben. it reminds me of him. He has dark hair, blue eyes, very smart, but did some pot.

Answer 2

As I used to work in a sub shop, I automatically think of the Reuben sandwich. The name flows nicely, but I spent several years making that sandwich. I'll never forget the smell of a Reuben it's not very pleasant. :/

Since you asked someone to explain the sandwich comment: The Reuben or Reuben sandwich is a grilled or toasted sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and either Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing. It is typically made with rye bread, though originally it may have been served on pumpernickel bread, and is often served with potato salad on the side.

Answer 3

I think its lovely and unusual.

As for "reminding someone of an old man", well who cares what it reminds that person of? Why does their opinion matter anyway?

My baby son is called Arthur and yes there are lots of "old men" called Arthur (as it was a popular name 80 or 90 years ago) but what has that got to do with my son? We called him Arthur because we love the legends of King Arthur, we couldn't care less about "old men"!!! It makes no difference!

If you like the name Reuben then go for it, I think its lovely. don't let other people influence you into just following the crowd with a fashionable name that he will have to share with half his class at school!

Answer 4

My best friend has always said she will call her child Reuben. I think it's cool. It's very unusual, but it's not like it's a ridiculous. made up name!

I never told people the names I liked because I wanted to avoid reactions like 'it reminds me of an old man'. People are less rude when you tell them that's what you've named your child!

Good luck with your baby.

Answer 5

reminds me of the Kenny Rogers Song "Reuben James". Have never heard of the sandwich but when you put reuben into google the sandwich recipes are the first to come up.

Here are some of the lyrics of Reuben James

Rueben James all the folks around Hadison County
Cussed your name
You're just a no count sharecropping colored man
You'd steal anything you can
And everybody laid the blame on Rueben James

Rueben James, for still walk over fields of my mind
Faded shirt, weathered brow, callused hands upon the plow
Loved you then and I love you now Rueben James

Also see the Wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben

Also be aware that he may be shortened to Ruby (yet another Kenny song!)

Answer 6

I like it. I work in an elementary school and don't think we have any Ruebens. Like Carrie, my first thought goes to the song Ruben James.
As for people think of old men, it is an older name but they are making a come back, there have been lots of Arlenes, Irenes, and other older names coming into the schools.
http://music.yahoo.com/Kenny-Rogers/Reuben-James/lyrics/34633453

just looking for the lyrics of the song, I JUST found out that there is anothe song by the same name, by Woody Guthrie
But his is about a USS ship sunk during WWII.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Reuben_James_(DD-245)

Answer 7

My first associations (they're not negative to me):

Jewish
Rube Goldberg
sandwich with sauerkraut on it

It does kind of make me think of a nerdy, middle aged, greasy guy, if I have to try to picture it... I like the sound of the name, just my mental image of it is not attractive. In spite of that, I think on a little boy born today it would be considered nice. I wouldn't be reminded of an old man at all, if it were the name of a young guy. I think it would fit in fine.

Answer 8

I love that name. It was my dads name and my brothers name. My nephews name and my great nephews name.

Name your son Reuben, it's a good nice name. The people with this name in my family have always shown wisdom.

Answer 9

Brilliant, name of a very good springbk rugby player reuben kruger and he is a kind gentle and fair man

Answer 10

Hate it. It reminds me of the band manager on the old TV show The Partridge Family, which aired back in the 70's. Yes, I realize I'm dating myself here, but I can remember watching it as a kid.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0534573/

A reuben is also a type of sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut and swiss cheese. Dagwood Bumstead used to eat them all the time in the Blondie cartoons. Yep, there I go, aging myself again!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_sandwich