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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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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

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.

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.

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.

KirstinBlest · 15/10/2023 07:47

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

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.

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.

RedRobin100 · 15/10/2023 08:00

I love it

KirstinBlest · 15/10/2023 08:02

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

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.

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

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!

Batinthehouse · 15/10/2023 08:49

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

toastofthetown · 15/10/2023 09:06

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.

Yes Rachel definitely had a recent popularity surge. England and Wales only released the top hundred every ten years until 1996, but the data we have shows Rachel first entering the top hundred in the 60s, peaking in the 80s with both Rachel and Rachael in the top 50, and having dropped out totally by the 2000s. The year on year data from 1996 shows Rachel falling from the top 50 in the 90s to just over a hundred per year at the last count.

That’s why, even though Rachel is an ancient, classic name it’s still dated. Deborah is also classic and biblical, but dated as Deb is someone who goes to book club with my mum, rather than my school friend, or niece. There still being a handful of Rachels doesn’t negate that.

Rachel
Rachel
Pemba · 15/10/2023 09:18

I think dated means a name that was pretty unheard of before a particular decade, becomes super popular, then fades away and seems unlikely to return. I don't think Rachel fits in with that.

Dated names to me would be Gladys from the early 20th century (not revived in recent years along with the other old lady names), Wayne and Tracey from the 1960s,maybe something like Khaleesi from recent years.

Deborah was very popular in the 60s, so that has obviously tainted it in many people's eyes. It's still biblical and classic though and will no doubt return. Personally I like it.

SneezyEvie · 15/10/2023 09:19

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.

Same. I don’t know a Rachel under 30.

Howtohandl · 15/10/2023 09:22

I lump it in with Sarah, Catherine, Laura…Jennifer…very popular if you were at school in the 80’s and 90’s but unusual to find a baby one now. However, I do think all these are lovely names so maybe they are due a comeback!

OldTinHat · 15/10/2023 09:30

I personally prefer the spelling Rachael.

coffeemachinedescale · 15/10/2023 09:32

I agree @Pemba. It's very tricky to find names that truly can't be dated to a decade - is it just Elizabeth as a girls' name that hasn't fallen out of the top 100 in however many decades? I'm trying to think of other truly timeless names - maybe Anna?

I picked Rachel because I think it's a strong name, I don't mind Rach and I like Rae. I also wanted to give my DD a bit of a "blank canvas" name that didn't come with too many assumptions. I agree that it can be dated to some extent to the 70s - 90s, but I also think it's a classic, classless name. I also like Deborah, but not so much Debs Smile

MartyFunkhouser · 15/10/2023 09:37

I know 3 Rachel/Rachaels - all about 50. It was a very popular name when I was at school.

I think it’s quite a nice name, and not quite as blah as other names from that era.

Needeyebrows · 15/10/2023 09:45

Don't lika it at all. My friends daughter is called Rachel and she is 8. The name does not suit her. Definately don't think it's a timeless name. It's an old name but not a nice one.

muddyford · 15/10/2023 09:50

One of my favourite names.

turkeyboots · 15/10/2023 09:55

Rach is a horrible shortening and every Rachel I know aged 60 down to teens all call themselves that.

toastofthetown · 15/10/2023 09:57

coffeemachinedescale · 15/10/2023 09:32

I agree @Pemba. It's very tricky to find names that truly can't be dated to a decade - is it just Elizabeth as a girls' name that hasn't fallen out of the top 100 in however many decades? I'm trying to think of other truly timeless names - maybe Anna?

I picked Rachel because I think it's a strong name, I don't mind Rach and I like Rae. I also wanted to give my DD a bit of a "blank canvas" name that didn't come with too many assumptions. I agree that it can be dated to some extent to the 70s - 90s, but I also think it's a classic, classless name. I also like Deborah, but not so much Debs Smile

Elizabeth is the only girls name which hasn’t left the top hundred since 1904. Sarah was second, but fell out of the top hundred in 2017. I don’t think a name being dated means one shouldn’t use it, but it’s something people may want to consider when using a name.

Interestingly, boys have eleven names which have constantly remained in the top hundred.

Rachel
Rachel
madamsapple · 15/10/2023 10:12

I really like it. Strong and timeless.

Also a lovely story to tell DD that her name came to you in a dream :)