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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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HeyYouWithTheSadFace · 14/10/2023 23:37

Dated

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!)

Highlyflavouredgravy · 14/10/2023 23:42

It's a really nice 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Show quote history

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.

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.

TootiiFrootii · 15/10/2023 00:30

Rae is a pretty shortened version

Ketzele · 15/10/2023 00:43

One of my favourites.

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

KnickerlessParsons · 15/10/2023 01:20

Love it, but prefer the Rachael spelling.

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

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!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 15/10/2023 03:50

I like it

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'

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.

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!

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

mathanxiety · 15/10/2023 04:50

Gorgeous name.

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.

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.

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.