Finding a first name for your little girl is tough enough, but sometimes finding the perfect middle name can be just as challenging!
As you’ve been considering great options for middle names, no doubt you want to find a middle name that pairs well with your daughter’s first name, isn’t too common, and carries a special meaning to you and your family. If you are still searching for the best middle name for your baby girl, we have some ideas to help!
If you’re reading this article, then you have chosen the name Rachel as your daughter’s first name. Rachel is a very pretty and classic name. It has been more popular at some times than others, but it never loses its classic stature as a beautiful name for little girls. So what good middle names that go with first name Rachel?
Whether you’re hoping to go traditional or modern, we cover some helpful tools, creative tips, and inspiration in this post. There are sources of inspiration all around us, whether in nature or in our favorite movies. Let’s consider some special sources of inspiration for a great middle name for Rachel!
This beautiful name has Hebrew origins and means “female sheep.” It is the name of one of the wives of Jacob in the Bible, making it a popular choice for parents who are spiritual. In this context, Rachel was described as “beautiful in form and countenance.” Rachel is a feminine and elegant name, but it’s also strong and independent.
Rachel has many nicknames such as Rach, Rae, and even Chel. You can choose one of these nicknames for your daughter or come up with one of your own.
There are a few different ways to spell Rachel, so if you’re looking for something unique, you have options. You can spell it “Rachelle,” “Rachael,” or “Rachele.” some variations also call it “Raquel”. No matter how you spell it, Rachel is a gorgeous name for a baby girl.
Traditionally, Rachel is a beloved name in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, it was the 13th most popular name for baby girls in 2018. If you’re looking for a name that’s not too common but still has a lot of meaning behind it, Rachel is the perfect choice. And there are many middle names that pair beautifully with Rachel!
Famous People Named Rachel
– Rachel Weisz: English actress
– Rachel McAdams: Canadian actress
– Rachel Bloom: American actress, writer, and producer.
– Rachel Greene: from the famed television series, FRIENDS
Choosing the Best Middle Name for Rachel
Family Ties
Consider family members and friends who could be good sources of inspiration for the best middle name for Rachel.
Grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and best friends could carry a name that you just love – especially since we don’t often know each other’s middle names!
Who in your family could you honor? Which of your friends or mentors has made a positive impact on your life? Have you perused the names on your family tree?
For example, my mom chose my middle name for her favorite cousin. At the same time, my dad’s sister’s middle name was the same one! Choosing names from family members can be a great way to carry on family tradition.
Special Places
How about a special place that is meaningful to your family? A traditional family vacation spot or birthplace or city with lots of memories?
Maybe you could choose the middle name of a place with personal significance. Did you travel to a beautiful city during college? Do you have precious memories of a particular spot? Choosing a sentimental place to use as a middle name can help keep that place in your memory a bit longer!
Celebrity Names
This might be a celebrity, like a famous movie star, but it may also be a person less “on the scene.” Perhaps a writer, artist, or musician has inspired you. Or maybe you just really love their name! This might also include characters in a book or the author herself. Think Delia Owens or Shauna Niequist.
Nature Inspired
If you love nature, the elements, hiking, swimming, fishing, or being one with nature, then choosing a middle name that speaks to this aspect of your personality could be a special way to honor your love of nature.
Some popular girls’ names inspired by nature include Dawn, Autumn, Clementine, Coral, Dove, Hazel, Ivy, Meadow, or Sunny.
If you’re looking for a more unique and modern name, names inspired by nature can offer many great options!
A more recent idea is to also consider names inspired by space – Astrid, Halo, Heaven, Estella Soleil, Stella, and Venus. Any of these names make great partners for Rachel!
Favorite Books or Shows
Are you a big reader? Would a literary middle name be a great fit for your baby girl? Considering names from books, movies, and television shows can be a great way to come up with an original name.
My friend heard the name Perrey – played by a female character – on a television show and decided to use the name for her daughter! The main character from the famed book Where The Crawdads Sing (now a movie!) is called “Kya,” and it’s definitely a unique name!
If you’re looking for a more classic middle names, you could peruse works of classic literature. Some female literary names include Alice, Arwen, Bella, Charlotte, Hazel, Imogen, Jane, Madeline, Rosalind, or Sophie, plus many more!
Syllable Balance
Besides inspiration for names, there are other factors to consider when choosing the best middle name for Rachel. The number of syllables in each name and how they pair together can be an effective tool for choosing a middle name you love.
How many syllables are in your last name? Since Rachel is a two-syllable name, either a short or long middle name could work well, depending on your last name. You don’t want Rachel’s name to feel too short – but a mouthful is not favorable either!
If you have a one-syllable last name and also love a one-syllable middle name, you may consider reordering your daughter’s name to help with the flow.
For example, Rachel Jane Grey may sound better and Jane Rachel Grey. But it depends on the name! It’s really up to you how you would like the name to flow. Syllable balance is the notion that there’s a variety of syllables between each name in order to create a better-sounding name. And that leads me to cadence!
Cadence
For those of us who don’t have a musical background, cadence is simply the flow or rhythm of a set of sounds or words. It’s that special thing that makes music and words and names sound pleasing or memorable to our ears.
Cadence involves the flow of a name – so the syllable balance and other literary devices to make the name a good one.
Consider a name like Rachel Rachele Reed. Ultimately, it’s a good name, but the flow could be better. The triple “Rs” make it difficult for the name to flow well. Something like Rachel Elizabeth Reed may work better in this case.
Whatever the case, the best way to test for cadence is to practice saying Rachel’s name aloud, practicing it enough to see if you like it!
Now, without further discussion, let’s consider some of the best middle name ideas for Rachel!
Best Middle Names for Rachel
Rachel Abigail
Rachel Addison
Rachel Adelaide
Rachel Adele
Rachel Adeline
Rachel Alexis
Rachel Amara
Rachel Amelia
Rachel Amira
Rachel Angelica
Rachel Annabelle
Rachel Anne
Rachel Anneliese
Rachel Antonia
Rachel Aria
Rachel Aubrey
Rachel Audrey
Rachel Augusta
Rachel Avalon
Rachel Avery
Rachel Bleu
Rachel Brinley
Rachel Brynn
Rachel Calliope
Rachel Cameron
Rachel Camille
Rachel Carina
Rachel Caroline
Rachel Cassandra
Rachel Catherine
Rachel Cecelia
Rachel Celeste
Rachel Charlotte
Rachel Christine
Rachel Claire
Rachel Clarissa
Rachel Claudia
Rachel Cora
Rachel Cordelia
Rachel Daisy
Rachel Danae
Rachel Daphne
Rachel Delaney
Rachel Delilah
Rachel Dinah
Rachel Edith
Rachel Eleanor
Rachel Elisabeth
Rachel Elise
Rachel Eliza
Rachel Elizabeth
Rachel Eloise
Rachel Ellora
Rachel Emeline
Rachel Emerson
Rachel Emily
Rachel Emma
Rachel Emmeline
Rachel Evangeline
Rachel Eve
Rachel Evelyn
Rachel Everly
Rachel Faith
Rachel Fawn
Rachel Faye
Rachel Felicity
Rachel Finley
Rachel Fiona
Rachel Flora
Rachel Frances
Rachel Genevieve
Rachel Georgette
Rachel Grace
Rachel Guinevere
Rachel Gwendolyn
Rachel Hadley
Rachel Hannah
Rachel Harper
Rachel Harriet
Rachel Heather
Rachel Helena
Rachel Hope
Rachel Imogen
Rachel Inga
Rachel Iris
Rachel Irene
Rachel Isabelle
Rachel Isobel
Rachel Ivy
Rachel Jade
Rachel Jane
Rachel Jean
Rachel Jessica
Rachel Josephine
Rachel Joy
Rachel Judith
Rachel Julia
Rachel Juliet
Rachel June
Rachel Juniper
Rachel Kate
Rachel Katherine
Rachel Kay
Rachel Kelly
Rachel Kinsley
Rachel Kristen
Rachel Lark
Rachel Lavinia
Rachel Leigh
Rachel Leona
Rachel Lillian
Rachel Lily
Rachel Lorainne
Rachel Louisa
Rachel Louise
Rachel Lucy
Rachel Lydia
Rachel Lynn
Rachel Mackenzie
Rachel Madeleine
Rachel Mae
Rachel Magnolia
Rachel Mallory
Rachel Maren
Rachel Margaret
Rachel Maria
Rachel Mariah
Rachel Marie
Rachel Marigold
Rachel Marissa
Rachel Martha
Rachel Mary
Rachel Matilda
Rachel Meadow
Rachel Meredith
Rachel Miranda
Rachel Molly
Rachel Morgan
Rachel Nadia
Rachel Nadine
Rachel Naomi
Rachel Noelle
Rachel Nora/Norah
Rachel Odelia
Rachel Olive
Rachel Olivia
Rachel Paige
Rachel Penelope
Rachel Peyton
Rachel Phoebe
Rachel Piper
Rachel Quinn
Rachel Ramona
Rachel Rebecca
Rachel Reverie
Rachel Rosalie
Rachel Rose
Rachel Savannah
Rachel Scarlett
Rachel Seraphine
Rachel Sharon
Rachel Sierra
Rachel Simone
Rachel Skye
Rachel Sloane
Rachel Sophia
Rachel Susannah
Rachel Tabitha
Rachel Tessa
Rachel Theodora
Rachel Unity
Rachel Vera
Rachel Verbena
Rachel Victoria
Rachel Violet
Rachel Vivian
Rachel Willa
Rachel Willow
Rachel Zara
Rachel Zoe
Final Thoughts
There are plenty more ideas from here! Consider the names that have the most meaning and impact for you, as well as which name flows best with your last name. Your baby girl will grow into the wonderful name you give her! We hope this list of ideas was helpful.
Comment below with the special middle name you choose for your Rachel. And congratulations on your new arrival!
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Disclaimer
All material provided on this website is for your information only and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Please consult with a medical professional regarding any matters related to the health and well-being of yourself or others. The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate based on my best judgement. Readers who fail to consult with a medical professional assume the risk of any injuries.
