What do we think of the name Rachel?

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I really really like this name for a little girl but worry that it is too common, as in popular.....what do you think?

Not a pretty name.

Much prefer Ruth or Rebecca.

Mums of Rachels unite!

Its a great name!

I've never had any major issues with being called Rachel. The main thing is that people will insist on spelling it Rachael about 50% of the time!

I get the following abbreviations:
Rae
Rach
Rachie
Rae-Rae

I'm usually called Rae, which I prefer. Occasionally gets spelt Ray however. Not too keen on Rach or Rachie, but they're not intolerable.

As a child I never had any problems with kids using anything about my first name to torment me. My surname and appearance were bigger targets!

The meaning of Rachel is Ewe, which also makes for some comedy moments trying to explain that to someone.

Hope that helps!

Baa...

I just spoke to my 5yo Rachel, who says it is the best name in the world!

I like the name in itself, but it is an Emma / Sarah / Michelle name for me, being born in the late 70s. There were dozens at school.

I love Emma and Sarah, which were popular in 70's, but are classics. Michelle was just a 70's popular name.There will always be Rachels, Emmas,Rebeccas but Michelle, Ruby, Pearl etc will date you.

I agree Fimbo. Anna, Rachel, Kate, Beth ..... those names don't date, so they'll never be embarrassing names. They won't be the ones hating their names in 50 years time.

Emma and sarah are lovely names and rachel is in the same classic group as them.
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Not Michelle though, that would be in a grouping with Tracey, Joanne and Karen, which are too obviously 70's names (but which will no doubt have their time again.

They recycle-Rubys are old ladies and young DCs, -but every generation will have Emma, Sarah and Rachel-some lots and some a few, but always some. It might be boring, but at least no one will say you must be in your 30's because you are called Tracy or you must be 80+ or a baby because you are called Elsie.

Tis a fab name

I get called Rach all the time, but think where I live, everyone's names get shortened.

It stands the test of time I htink.

It's nice and seems a bit underused these days.

Rachel Dawn is lovely.

And Roo as a nn is fab - love it.

I'm also a Rachel,have no problem with it but I do have a slightly unusual middle name!

I love Rachel.

Can I jusr say again:

Rachel is a FABULOUS name!

I'm Rachel Elizabeth and have always loved my name even when i was 15 and all my friends hated their names.Would go definatly recommend it.

lovely name

and not that common - i have 3 DCs and there are no rachels in any of their classes

i have just checked the government statistics and there were only 43 baby girls named Rachael last year and 148 Rachels

It's lovely. Classic.

DS3 would have been Rachel if he had not been a DS. I like Rach, too.

It was a popular name when I was at school in the 60s/70s but was usually spelled Rachael.

I quite like it.