What do we think of the name Rachel?

[Cluttergump]

I really really like this name for a little girl but worry that it is too common, as in popular.....what do you think?

[BonsoirAnna]

My sister's name. I don't think it's great.

[tummytickler]

I have always disliked this name - i don't really know why - i think it is bacause it has always seemed so prim, proper and boring to me - even when i was a child!
And then Friends came on TV - i always hated that show and now when i hear Rachel - i always think of her . . . not good (for me!)

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

a bit meh

[StretchFucksTheMailDaily]

Nice name. Not popular now, I suppose there are a lot of names due a comeback though.

[5inthebed]

It was popular about 10 years ago, not so much now. I think it's ok.

[thell]

It makes me think Old Testament, and also I knew a fab Rachel, so I like it.
It isn't popular for children right now I don't think, but there are still plenty of adults about with it, so it's not an 'unusual' name.

[PestoSurfMonster]

dull

[MaggieLeo]

I love it.

Slightly interesting fact here, Rachel is in the top ten in Ireland, or at least it was the year my son was born, not sure now.

The only name that is doubled up in my dc's year is Rachel. And my cousin has a little one.

BUT as you're in the UK where it's rare for babies then go for it. It's a good strong name.

[MaggieLeo]

Oh, just read your op properly. ARe you worried it might be the new Hannah? I think so tbh, but I do still really like it.

[boodleboot]

i really like it too actually. every Rachel i know has been very sweet....never known a bratty one. Rachel is the better spelling too. i don't know any Rachels under five in my area....none in my sons class

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Comme ci comme ca.

But I think what it does have going for it here in 2009 is that hardly anyone else will go for it, so therefore your dd will have an unusual name.

Not Ella, Matilda, Kitty, Amy, Maisie, Scarlett, Lola, Jessica, India, Lucy, Molly, Holly, Eva, Evie, Eve, Ava and all the other top 20 names that are around right now.

[PDR]

My name is Rachel. I like it

[Cluttergump]

PDR - what nicknames you get?

maggie - i think i would just be concerned that it sounds a bit 'safe' - perhaps i should jazz it up with a zany middle name like Rachel Lavender or something??

i think i am just bored by the very common/popular names that everybody seems to be choosing at the moment....one minute they are unusual and then all of a sudden everyone has an isabella or a matilda and the market is saturated so to speak...

[piscesmoon]

I like it.

[janeite]

Tis okay (one of my names) but it doesn't excite me hugely. Then again, it would be fairly unusual I think and is unlikely to become over-common.

I prefer Ruth or Naomi, in a similar vein.

[Rachmumoftwo]

I like it and think that jazzing it up with a nice middle name is a lovely idea. I have no middle name and wish I did.

[PDR]

I get Rach nowadays but not much, most ppl just call me Rachel.

When I was little I used to get called Rachie - which is a bit cutesy!

[weegiemum]

We love it, we love it!

Its dd2's name, after her great grannie who died 2 weeks before she was born.

It's timeless, classy, hard to properly shorten (though of course dd2 does get "Rach!" from time to time).

I like classic girls names - dd1 is Katherine - and can't be doing with all these ones at the moment that end in -y or -ie.

We know one other little girl with it - not at all "popular"

[weegiemum]

Meant to add - Dd2 is 5 almost 6 and her middle name is Jessie - after another great grannY!

[PDR]

I often feel sorry for people with jazzy first names - best to put them as middle names if you can and then your DC can use it as a first name if Rachel/Ruth/Naomi is too safe!

[janeite]

Rach is awful - I have always felt it sounds like some sort of farming tool. Prefer Rachie!

[PDR]

A colleage of mine has recently produced a Bluebell

[stinkypinky]

I love it,and it is not common now. My cousin is Rachel and she is still the most beautiful girl I know (even at 39), although I am sure this is nothing to do with her name...

If you like it, who cares?

[Cluttergump]

ooh no. Rachel Bluebell tho is cute