Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Rachel

88 replies

trainboundfornowhere · 14/10/2023 22:01

I’m wondering what others think of the name Rachel? It’s not a name I had even considered till a few nights ago when I dreamed I had twins called Rachel and Ellen so I wondered what others thought?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Batinthehouse · 15/10/2023 08:49

Nice, but be prepared for it to be shortened to Rach by her friends.

LadyBird1973 · 15/10/2023 08:43

I really like it. It's predominantly associated with 80s/90s generation for me, but that's not a bad thing. It's the same 'type' of name as Sarah, Emma and Amy (I am one of these names). They are pretty imo - better than the current trend for old lady names!

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 15/10/2023 08:22

Ooh it's Megan Markle's real name too.
Sadly l associate with a previous boss who was vile so not a name l would choose but it's ok x

Pemba · 15/10/2023 08:10

Of course it's classic, just because it may have had a bit of a popularity surge in the 80s/90s doesn't mean it's not classic! And did it have a surge then really? DD was born early 90s, I don't recall there being any Rachels at school with her at all. I do know one or two contemporaries of my own (born 60s) that were Rachel, several from the 70s, plus older and younger Rachels. Pretty timeless I'd say.

KirstinBlest · 15/10/2023 08:02

@RoseRows , it's from the Old Testament and is in continuous use. It's a classic.

RedRobin100 · 15/10/2023 08:00

I love it

RoseRows · 15/10/2023 07:54

It’s not classic, it’s very 80s/90s and as a PP said will be considered a mum name by children these days.

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 15/10/2023 07:49

Personally I’m not a fan of it but there’s nothing really wrong with it. I just don’t think it sounds very pretty.

KirstinBlest · 15/10/2023 07:47

I know a few of different ages. It's a classic.

Pemba · 15/10/2023 07:47

Yes I like it, it's simple and classic. A refreshing change from the rather frilly names that have been popular for a few years now.

Berlinlover · 15/10/2023 06:46

I’m surprised so many people don’t like the name Rachel when so many awful and ridiculous names are adored on Mumsnet.

RedRobyn2021 · 15/10/2023 06:36

Also you she could sometimes maybe shorten it to Rae, although I never have I've always just been Rachael.

RedRobyn2021 · 15/10/2023 06:33

DontcallachildRachel · 14/10/2023 22:07

As a 57 year old Rachel
PLEASE DONT

It is an awful name. Boring and drab.
A very common conversation with every Rachel I meet is how much we all hate the name
Never met an adults who says- I couldnt think of a better name - so glad I am called Rachel.

I love my name

Although I spell it Rachael

peaceinourtime · 15/10/2023 06:28

If you use it go with the Rachel spelling. Rachael with is the a is really pretentious, don’t do it.

SorryWorry · 15/10/2023 04:55

WonderfulRachel · 15/10/2023 04:52

I'm 54 and a Rachel. I like it and prefer this spelling to the one with an a as it often gets written incorrectly as Racheal.

As to all the other similar 'dull' names that people are referring to on the thread, I rather like them. I find the girls names that people discuss on MN rather twee.

I know two people whose names are actually spelled Racheal rather than Rachael. I often wonder if their parents just couldn't spell.

WonderfulRachel · 15/10/2023 04:52

I'm 54 and a Rachel. I like it and prefer this spelling to the one with an a as it often gets written incorrectly as Racheal.

As to all the other similar 'dull' names that people are referring to on the thread, I rather like them. I find the girls names that people discuss on MN rather twee.

mathanxiety · 15/10/2023 04:50

Gorgeous name.

ActDottie · 15/10/2023 04:38

Classic but boringggg

I was watching something on tv the other day and the child was called Rachel and it just felt like such an old person name to give a child

To me it’s a bit meh really

weegiemum · 15/10/2023 04:17

My 19 year old dd2 is Rachel, she's named after her paternal great grandmother who died 2 weeks before she was born at age 91, so I'd say it was timeless. At home she gets Rach a lot. She's cool and sassy, working her way into the world, a newly qualified beauty therapist, she's great and her name really suits her!

KateKateLee · 15/10/2023 04:10

I was bullied by my manager Rachel and had to take time off sick so I have bad associations with the name. I've also recently met the most friendly and caring lady also called Rachel.

KateKateLee · 15/10/2023 04:07

Jethia · 14/10/2023 22:13

It's lovely. Timeless and classic.
Won't ever pigeon hole your child to a certain era

Except the 'Friends era'

uncomfortablydumb53 · 15/10/2023 03:50

I like it

RAP08 · 15/10/2023 03:43

My name is Rachel. Means Ewe in Hebrew. Throughout my life everyone has always confused me for a Rebecca. As names go is say it was pretty safe!

GinAndBearIt90 · 15/10/2023 03:26

I know lots of Rachels/Rachaels but they are all in the 30-35 age range so I feel like it may seem dated and not ready for a comeback yet. It will be a 'mum name' for children born now, a bit like how I view 60s baby names from my parents generation e.g. Karen, Sheila, Angela, Patricia, Sharon, etc

KnickerlessParsons · 15/10/2023 01:20

Love it, but prefer the Rachael spelling.