Rachel

[MissisBee]

DH and I have only had one name conversation so far (I'm only 9 weeks).

Rachel was his first suggestion for a girl. It's a name that would never had occurred to me, but the more I think about it, the more I like it.

I currently don't know any Rachels. Any I have known would be about my own age but it doesn't have the feel of an 80s name to me like, say, Joanne or Julie.
I do have a penchant for biblical names generally, although I read today that it means "ewe" in Hebrew!!

So, do you like it?
Is it dated?
Does it make you think of Friends?

I like it. It is not really used on kids nowadays but isnt in the same vein as Sheila/Tracey/Linda so totally nice choice.

Other names similar imo are Rebecca, Sarah, Gemma, Jenny, Helen

I think it's a lovely name, unusual these days but in a good way.

I'm not too keen on the meaning, though!

I wouldn't associate it with Friends.

My sister is a Rachael, I always think it is a lovely name.

Yes, I thought with it being and old name it would have an interesting meaning - Sarah means princess. Can always get lots of sheep-themed gifts though!

Imo one of the most beautiful names ever.

I love it! It was on my list for DD. Every Rachel I know has been awesome which is partly why I love it.

Yes I instantly assicociate it with Friends (I'm in my 40s though, if that makes any difference?!)

It is a lovely name. I've only ever known lovely Rachels and Rachaels

I like it.
It is classic and strong name.

My dd2 is Rachel, she is 11. I only know of two others called Rachel and they are both the same age as her.

It was on my name list as it is lovely. Unfortunately for me, it was ruined by knowing one, who was very fake ( coming across as sweet as pie) two faced, biggest gossip I've met, and flakey. A bit chav as well.

I love it.

I know one little Rachel (and a fair few adult ones), nice classic name you can't go wrong with. I prefer Rachael as the spelling but maybe that's because the majority of ones I've known have used that way?

I like it a lot a lot. I did think Ross and Rachel though but there are those associations with most names somewhere!

I like Rachel. It would have been DSs name if he was a girl.

I'm a Rachel, I'm 25 and there were loads of us (5, more Rachel's than any other name! 3 spelling it my way, 2 ael, most strangers spell it Rachel if you don't spell it for them) in my year at school but I meet hardly any others now. I am regularly called Rebecca by people who've forgotten my name, they seem to think they're interchangeable...

Another Rachel here. Mid twenties and there were 5 of us in my school year.
Think it's a normal name but not widely used which is lovely. I have always loved my name.

With regards to the meaning, ewe, the emphasis is on the fact that it is a female (ie mother) sheep. Other variations of the meaning include 'motherly' which is the one I would say if people asked my name meaning.

I find most people spell it 'ael' and seem surprised when it's just 'el'.

Lovely, classic name

Rachel is a lovely name.

Great name.

I'm a Rachel. And we ROCK.

I'm not so keen on those Rachaels though.

And now I'm convinced that I'm the fake, two-faced, gossipy, flakey and chav Rachel referred to upthread.

That does sound very like me.

I'm a Rachel I agree we are awesome it's a nice name. Although I don't hear of many now days.

I love the name Rachel. I had a doll named Rachel when I was small :)

It's the best name