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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?

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Devilsmommy · 15/10/2023 00:57

@trainboundfornowhere it's my middle name and I've never liked it, but I don't mind it as a first name weirdly

Ketzele · 15/10/2023 00:43

One of my favourites.

TootiiFrootii · 15/10/2023 00:30

Rae is a pretty shortened version

Blinkityblonk · 15/10/2023 00:15

I know quite a few Rachels and I am one myself (middle name). I think it's lovely, just timeless and not boring. A similar name for me from the same era that I would also hope would come around again is Sarah.

NuffSaidSam · 15/10/2023 00:11

Jethia · 15/10/2023 00:08

It's a biblical name, there's been Rachel's since the beginning of time.

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Sure, but when a name peaks massively at a certain time it dates the person. Rachel was massive in the 80's, less so before that and after that. It's not timeless in that sense, which is what people generally mean when they talk about baby names.

Lots of biblical names have surges in popularity at certain times.

Jethia · 15/10/2023 00:08

NuffSaidSam · 14/10/2023 23:28

I'm surprised by the number of posts saying it's timeless/classic. I would put in very firmly as a name from the 80's. I went to school with loads of Rachel's and now know loads of Rachel's between 35 and 45.

I know the odd one who is younger/older but it very firmly dates to the 80's imo along with Amy, Claire and Becky.

It's a biblical name, there's been Rachel's since the beginning of time.

Findyourneutralspace · 14/10/2023 23:53

It’s my name and I like it. I don’t find it boring at all. I’m happy to introduce myself.

BlowingAway · 14/10/2023 23:47

Classic, maybe a little boring.
Doesn't sound 'pretty' like a lot of the currently trending names do but maybe that's not a bad thing.
Quite 80s probably.

Katypp · 14/10/2023 23:43

How can it be dated? It's a classic biblical name! Even if it's not as popular at the moment, it will come back and will certainly not date like the cutesy -ie names or the current trend of outdoing each other to find the worst 'old lady' name.

coffeemachinedescale · 14/10/2023 23:43

My six year old is called Rachel. I like that everyone knows the name, but that she's the only one in her school. She's also super cool and definitely not dull!

Highlyflavouredgravy · 14/10/2023 23:42

It's a really nice name

Blueuggboots · 14/10/2023 23:39

It's my name and it's ok, except when people spell the different version and add extra A's which does my head in (because I only have 1 A in my name!)

HeyYouWithTheSadFace · 14/10/2023 23:37

Dated

LulooLemon · 14/10/2023 23:33

Lovely name.

I also like Rachael as a spelling.

NuffSaidSam · 14/10/2023 23:28

I'm surprised by the number of posts saying it's timeless/classic. I would put in very firmly as a name from the 80's. I went to school with loads of Rachel's and now know loads of Rachel's between 35 and 45.

I know the odd one who is younger/older but it very firmly dates to the 80's imo along with Amy, Claire and Becky.

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 14/10/2023 23:23

I love it, Which is lucky as it is my name although I am Rachael, often shortened to Rach which I also like. There are 2 other Rachel's I work with, and they are about the same age as me.

I don't know any younger ones though.

MissHoollie · 14/10/2023 22:44

Love I..would have used it but doesn't go with. Our surname

Twoscotcheggsandajarofmarmite · 14/10/2023 22:42

My ‘university educated parents’ left school at 12 and 14 respectively and named me after a character in a tv show. I know only two other Rachels, one is nine and not white and one is in her twenties and is white. I don’t live in the UK so maybe my experience is different to you but I still love my name.

Gowlett · 14/10/2023 22:39

I like it, but I can see how it would be in the Karen realm.

PickledScrump · 14/10/2023 22:39

Dated and dull. I know one who’s 12 and it just really doesn’t suit her at all.

Theoldwoman · 14/10/2023 22:37

It’s certainly not a bad name, but one I have just never liked despite having a lovely niece called Rachel.

I put it in the same category as:

Megan, Fiona, Ashleigh, Zoe, Lauren, Katie, Sarah.

DontcallachildRachel · 14/10/2023 22:34

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Twoscotcheggsandajarofmarmite · 14/10/2023 22:29

It’s my name and I do love it. People have no preconceived ideas about me based on my name, it’s classless and timeless imo.

ElleCapitaine · 14/10/2023 22:26

It’s a biblical name, and timeless and classic. If I’d had another girl she’d have been a Rachel.

menopausalmare · 14/10/2023 22:23

Mine and my daughters middle name. Lovely.

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