I was born Rachel Paula Green on 27 June 1979. Friends first aired on September 22, 1994. At the time, I was 15 years old.
I was quite the rambunctious yet elusive teenager – sneaking out to nightclubs while still maintaining a 4.0 grade average. I fought a lot with my parents, eager to assert my independence and receive the respect I thought I deserved.
During this time, my mother said she would always love me but didn’t really like me. The one thing that kept us sane was the television.
Sitting down to watch TV was one of the few things we could agree on – shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Roseanne and Friends.
Friends was especially easy to watch with my parents. Nothing was too explicit or racy, and everyone loved ‘The Rachel’ haircut. I considered it, but my very curly hair would have likened me to a poodle.
Strangely enough, it wasn’t until the show had ended and was being shown as reruns that I realised I had the same name as one of the show’s main characters. I mean, technically, she’s Rachel Karen Green, but the Rachel Green moniker stuck.
I heard it first at auditions – the casting directors would look at my résumé and innocently ask, ‘Did we go to college together? Have we met before?’
I knew what was happening and, at first, I didn’t mind.
But soon it became a daily occurrence. People would often say, ‘OMG has anyone ever told you that you have the name of Jennifer Aniston’s character on Friends?!’
I would don my fake smile, wink and say, ‘Yeah, I’ve heard that. But my mom thought of it first…’
On less patient days I would say, ‘OMG no way! I’ve never heard that before’. People read right through the sarcasm.
My least favourite comment was ‘How’s Ross? Where’s Ross? Do you have a friend named Ross?’
No, I don’t, and please stop asking me that. Please.
But as time heals all pain, I learned to take my name in its stride. After all, it’s an easy ice breaker and an automatic conversation starter.
Now when people ask me, I laugh and say, ‘Yep, amazing how I didn’t notice until years later! Did you know Rachel was also the name of Dr. Green’s daughter on the show ER?’
The most memorable experience was with a very sweet barista named Fifi. She was a huge Friends fan and immediately noticed my name after ringing up my order at the local coffee shop.
‘You’re Rachel Green?!’ she asked with glee. ‘Yes, that’s my name’, I replied.
She gushed about her love for Friends, especially Rachel Green. ‘I’m so excited to meet you! Can I have your autograph?’
I explained that it was just my name, but she insisted. She was so enamoured with the show that having any Rachel Green’s autograph was amazing.
The Friends team have never tried to contact me. I’m not shocked – Rachel Green is a pretty common name for a Jewish girl from the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut).
I even went to camp with a Rachael Greene (who obviously spells it wrong).
I used to start out my standup comedy sets with, ‘Hi, my name is Rachel Green. Jennifer Aniston couldn’t be here tonight’.
I was disappointed when I tried to buy the https://ift.tt/3c7knVE and it was unavailable. Turns out it’s owned by a woman in Australia.
Truth be told, I’m definitely more of Monica, with a dash of Phoebe. My personality is strong and smart and a bit control-freak like Monica, but with Phoebe’s spirituality and playfulness.
I also come from a family of lower middle class musicians – there is really nothing Rachel about me.
Still, Rachel Green is a strong name and I have no regrets. It sounds great when people announce it before I perform and it’s fairly easy to spell and pronounce — it’s short and sweet.
A fan of the character named Ruben Young actually wrote a song named Rachel Green. It’s quite catchy and I use it during some introductions as I walk to the stage.
Although the show takes place in New York, it’s actually the out-of-towners that seem to enjoy it the most.
Like a true hardened New Yorker, I have yet to check out the Central Perk pop-up. And of course, we all know that no one can afford a spacious two bedroom in the West Village on a waitress’ salary.
Overall, Friends is one of the most successful, feel-good shows of all time. While I’m not a fanatical viewer, I get its appeal. And, there are definitely worse characters with whom to share a name.
Yes, Rachel starts off as a spoiled, whiny brat. But, by the end, she is more independent and more self-aware.
If there is ever a Friends reunion, I think they should cast all the folks with the same names as co-stars. That’s the least we deserve.
Hello, My Name Is...
It’s not easy having the same name as someone, or something, famous.
In Metro.co.uk’s weekly Hello, My Name Is… series, we’ll hear the funny, surprising and frankly mundane stories of people whose parents really didn’t know what they were getting their children into.
Email jess.austin@metro.co.uk if you would like to get involved
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/09/hello-name-rachel-green-12527740/?ITO=squid
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