Rachel Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Rachel Name Meaning

Fact: Rachel is a popular name across various cultures, including English, French, German, and Jewish communities.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Rachel Overview

Meaning

Ewe, female sheep

Gender

Girl

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Rāchēl,” meaning “ewe” or “female sheep.”

Religion

Judaism, Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈreɪtʃəl/

Popularity

Rachel is loved in many countries, including Israel, the USA, and the UK. In 2023, Rachel ranked #209 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

11 (Intuitive, Idealistic, Spiritual)

Name Styles

Traditional, Cool, Classic

Associated Traits

Gentle, graceful, compassionate

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with the biblical figure Rachel, one of the matriarchs in the Old Testament, symbolizing patience and devotion.

Name Day

November 15 (France)
A Deep Dive

Rachel Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Rochelle, Raquel, Rachelle, Rakel, Rachael

Common Nicknames

Rachie, Rachy, Rae-Rae

Diminutives

Rae, Rach, Ray, Elle, Chel

Famous People

  • Rachel Carson
    (American Biologist)
  • Rachel McAdams
    (Canadian Actress)
  • Rachel Weisz
    (British Actress)
  • Rachel Maddow
    (American Journalist)
  • Rachel Bilson
    (American Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Rachel Green
    ("Friends," TV Series)
  • Rachel Berry
    ("Glee," TV Series)
  • "Rachel Getting Married"
    (Film)
  • Rachel Dawes
    ("Batman Begins," Film)
  • "The Rachel Papers"
    (Novel)
  • Rachel Zane
    ("Suits," TV Series)
  • "Rachel, Rachel"
    (Film)

Places

  • Rachel Town
    (Nevada, USA)
  • Lake Rachel
    (Minnesota, USA)
  • Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
    (Maine, USA)
  • Rachel Lake
    (Washington, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Rachel?

Rachel means “ewe” in Hebrew, symbolizing gentleness and purity. It is a name often associated with nurturing and compassion.

What Is the Origin of The Name Rachel?

Rachel has its origins in Hebrew, derived from the Hebrew word “רָחֵל” (Rāḥēl), which means “ewe.” It was popularized by the biblical character Rachel, the wife of Jacob in the Old Testament.

Rachel Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Rachel in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2392021#2422022#2552023
Top 3 Rankings#91996#121995#131985

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Rachel

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023255
(-13 from 2022)
1209
(-49 from 2022)
0.06912
2022242
(-3 from 2021)
1258
(-12 from 2021)
0.07016
2021239
(-13 from 2020)
1270
(-33 from 2020)
0.07089
2020226
(-36 from 2019)
1303
(-244 from 2019)
0.07371
2019190
(+7 from 2018)
1547
(-11 from 2018)
0.08431
2018197
(-6 from 2017)
1558
(-63 from 2017)
0.08378
2017191
(-20 from 2016)
1621
(-260 from 2016)
0.08581
2016171
(-4 from 2015)
1881
(-55 from 2015)
0.09717
2015167
(-12 from 2014)
1936
(-153 from 2014)
0.09924
2014155
(-18 from 2013)
2089
(-234 from 2013)
0.10678
2013137
(-6 from 2012)
2323
(-94 from 2012)
0.12051
2012131
(-16 from 2011)
2417
(-246 from 2011)
0.12462
2011115
(-16 from 2010)
2663
(-357 from 2010)
0.13743
201099
(-10 from 2009)
3020
(-568 from 2009)
0.15403
200989
(-15 from 2008)
3588
(-496 from 2008)
0.17718
200874
(-15 from 2007)
4084
(-754 from 2007)
0.19608
200759
(-11 from 2006)
4838
(-702 from 2006)
0.22858
200648
(-10 from 2005)
5540
(-681 from 2005)
0.26501
200538
(-4 from 2004)
6221
(-699 from 2004)
0.30652
200434
(-6 from 2003)
6920
(-1074 from 2003)
0.34295
200328
(-4 from 2002)
7994
(-949 from 2002)
0.39842
200224
No change from 2001
8943
(-612 from 2001)
0.45281
200124
(-3 from 2000)
9555
(-1131 from 2000)
0.48235
200021
(-2 from 1999)
10686
(-945 from 1999)
0.53544
199919
(-4 from 1998)
11631
(-579 from 1998)
0.59744
199815
(-2 from 1997)
12210
(-1588 from 1997)
0.62987
199713
(-4 from 1996)
13798
(-2320 from 1996)
0.72269
19969
(+3 from 1995)
16118
(+71 from 1995)
0.84069
199512
(+1 from 1994)
16047
(+556 from 1994)
0.83510
199413
(+1 from 1993)
15491
(-482 from 1993)
0.79466
199314
(+2 from 1992)
15973
(+134 from 1992)
0.81018
199216
(-2 from 1991)
15839
(-503 from 1991)
0.79010
199114
(+2 from 1990)
16342
(+632 from 1990)
0.80367
199016
(+2 from 1989)
15710
(+353 from 1989)
0.76470
198918
(+1 from 1988)
15357
(+9 from 1988)
0.77086
198819
(-2 from 1987)
15348
(-296 from 1987)
0.79808
198717
(-2 from 1986)
15644
(+188 from 1986)
0.83470
198615
(-2 from 1985)
15456
(-905 from 1985)
0.83750
198513
(+2 from 1984)
16361
(+520 from 1984)
0.88614
198415
(+5 from 1983)
15841
(+1250 from 1983)
0.87844
198320
(+1 from 1982)
14591
(+718 from 1982)
0.81529
198221
(+1 from 1981)
13873
(+1284 from 1981)
0.76465
198122
(+1 from 1980)
12589
(+970 from 1980)
0.70388
198023
(+4 from 1979)
11619
(+1390 from 1979)
0.65252
197927
(-2 from 1978)
10229
(+426 from 1978)
0.59358
197825
(+1 from 1977)
9803
(+828 from 1977)
0.59633
197726
(-3 from 1976)
8975
(+521 from 1976)
0.54559
197623
(+3 from 1975)
8454
(+226 from 1975)
0.53782
197526
(+10 from 1974)
8228
(+829 from 1974)
0.52714
197436
(+6 from 1973)
7399
(+1296 from 1973)
0.47240
197342
(-2 from 1972)
6103
(-313 from 1972)
0.39270
197240
(+14 from 1971)
6416
(+302 from 1971)
0.39788
197154
(+4 from 1970)
6114
(+85 from 1970)
0.34885
197058
(+11 from 1969)
6029
(+786 from 1969)
0.32912
196969
(+23 from 1968)
5243
(+1517 from 1968)
0.29744
196892
(+13 from 1967)
3726
(+412 from 1967)
0.21794
1967105
(+49 from 1966)
3314
(+1037 from 1966)
0.19303
1966154
(+21 from 1965)
2277
(+265 from 1965)
0.12969
1965175
(-2 from 1964)
2012
(-248 from 1964)
0.11010
1964173
(+6 from 1963)
2260
(+82 from 1963)
0.11546
1963179
(+15 from 1962)
2178
(+239 from 1962)
0.10955
1962194
(-8 from 1961)
1939
(-115 from 1961)
0.09566
1961186
(+12 from 1960)
2054
(+262 from 1960)
0.09889
1960198
(+3 from 1959)
1792
(+47 from 1959)
0.08616
1959201
No change from 1958
1745
(+83 from 1958)
0.08395
1958201
(-7 from 1957)
1662
(-159 from 1957)
0.08046
1957194
(+3 from 1956)
1821
(+149 from 1956)
0.08679
1956197
(-12 from 1955)
1672
(-130 from 1955)
0.08118
1955185
(-3 from 1954)
1802
(-4 from 1954)
0.08988
1954182
(-7 from 1953)
1806
(+26 from 1953)
0.09072
1953175
(+10 from 1952)
1780
(+181 from 1952)
0.09225
1952185
(+17 from 1951)
1599
(+164 from 1951)
0.08407
1951202
(-14 from 1950)
1435
(-19 from 1950)
0.07768
1950188
(+3 from 1949)
1454
(+17 from 1949)
0.08268
1949191
(+4 from 1948)
1437
(+49 from 1948)
0.08186
1948195
(-5 from 1947)
1388
(-59 from 1947)
0.07965
1947190
(+6 from 1946)
1447
(+213 from 1946)
0.07960
1946196
(-22 from 1945)
1234
(+27 from 1945)
0.07651
1945174
(-3 from 1944)
1207
(-43 from 1944)
0.08967
1944171
(-1 from 1943)
1250
(-121 from 1943)
0.09147
1943170
(-7 from 1942)
1371
(-55 from 1942)
0.09551
1942163
(-4 from 1941)
1426
(+41 from 1941)
0.10255
1941159
(+7 from 1940)
1385
(+121 from 1940)
0.11116
1940166
(-6 from 1939)
1264
(-81 from 1939)
0.10700
1939160
(+5 from 1938)
1345
(+67 from 1938)
0.11860
1938165
(-2 from 1937)
1278
(+49 from 1937)
0.11196
1937163
No change from 1936
1229
(+21 from 1936)
0.11154
1936163
(+1 from 1935)
1208
(+9 from 1935)
0.11211
1935164
(-1 from 1934)
1199
(+18 from 1934)
0.11033
1934163
(-2 from 1933)
1181
(+39 from 1933)
0.10912
1933161
(-5 from 1932)
1142
(-112 from 1932)
0.10917
1932156
(+5 from 1931)
1254
(+83 from 1931)
0.11335
1931161
(+3 from 1930)
1171
(-90 from 1930)
0.10610
1930164
(+3 from 1929)
1261
(+47 from 1929)
0.10811
1929167
(+10 from 1928)
1214
(+34 from 1928)
0.10488
1928177
(-8 from 1927)
1180
(-106 from 1927)
0.09870
1927169
(-5 from 1926)
1286
(-103 from 1926)
0.10401
1926164
(+1 from 1925)
1389
(-50 from 1925)
0.11291
1925165
(-8 from 1924)
1439
(-161 from 1924)
0.11393
1924157
(+3 from 1923)
1600
(+117 from 1923)
0.12349
1923160
(-6 from 1922)
1483
(-58 from 1922)
0.11841
1922154
(-2 from 1921)
1541
(-42 from 1921)
0.12352
1921152
(+4 from 1920)
1583
(+99 from 1920)
0.12370
1920156
(-7 from 1919)
1484
(-4 from 1919)
0.11929
1919149
(-1 from 1918)
1488
(-54 from 1918)
0.12668
1918148
(+9 from 1917)
1542
(+203 from 1917)
0.12825
1917157
(-4 from 1916)
1339
(+11 from 1916)
0.11916
1916153
(+3 from 1915)
1328
(+123 from 1915)
0.12232
1915156
(-5 from 1914)
1205
(+230 from 1914)
0.11769
1914151
(-6 from 1913)
975
(+148 from 1913)
0.12239
1913145
(+6 from 1912)
827
(+124 from 1912)
0.12628
1912151
(-1 from 1911)
703
(+166 from 1911)
0.11982
1911150
No change from 1910
537
(-1 from 1910)
0.12154
1910150
(+4 from 1909)
538
(+76 from 1909)
0.12824
1909154
(+5 from 1908)
462
(+37 from 1908)
0.12551
1908159
(-5 from 1907)
425
(+5 from 1907)
0.11988
1907154
(+4 from 1906)
420
(+54 from 1906)
0.12447
1906158
(-15 from 1905)
366
(-55 from 1905)
0.11677
1905143
(+9 from 1904)
421
(+65 from 1904)
0.13587
1904152
(-10 from 1903)
356
(-27 from 1903)
0.12174
1903142
(-1 from 1902)
383
(-10 from 1902)
0.13767
1902141
(-6 from 1901)
393
(+24 from 1901)
0.14019
1901135
(+18 from 1900)
369
(-10 from 1900)
0.14514
1900153
(-8 from 1899)
379
(+55 from 1899)
0.11928
1899145
(-7 from 1898)
324
(-43 from 1898)
0.13091
1898138
(+16 from 1897)
367
(+70 from 1897)
0.13387
1897154
(-17 from 1896)
297
(-51 from 1896)
0.11963
1896137
(-7 from 1895)
348
(-3 from 1895)
0.13810
1895130
(+6 from 1894)
351
(+34 from 1894)
0.14204
1894136
(-2 from 1893)
317
(-4 from 1893)
0.13434
1893134
(-12 from 1892)
321
(-48 from 1892)
0.14252
1892122
(+11 from 1891)
369
(+102 from 1891)
0.16406
1891133
(-9 from 1890)
267
(-51 from 1890)
0.13583
1890124
(+10 from 1889)
318
(+52 from 1889)
0.15769
1889134
(-5 from 1888)
266
(-15 from 1888)
0.14058
1888129
(-3 from 1887)
281
(+55 from 1887)
0.14833
1887126
(+4 from 1886)
226
(+13 from 1886)
0.14541
1886130
(-8 from 1885)
213
(+1 from 1885)
0.13855
1885122
(-8 from 1884)
212
(-18 from 1884)
0.14935
1884114
(+7 from 1883)
230
(+56 from 1883)
0.16717
1883121
(-12 from 1882)
174
(-29 from 1882)
0.14493
1882109
(+4 from 1881)
203
(+46 from 1881)
0.17546
1881113
(-4 from 1880)
157
(-9 from 1880)
0.15882
1880109
First SSA data recorded
166
First SSA data recorded
0.17007

American States Popularity Rankings for Rachel

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4462021#3882022#3982023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#372021#322022#362023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3422021#3552022#3762023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1922021#1792022#1582023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2442021#2472022#3022023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4172021#3782022#5232023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3362021#6242022#4972023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3732021#3702022#4232023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2622021#5142022#4082023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#462021#472022#442023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4122021#2922022#3862023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3662021#4842022#5172023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3192021#4422022#5642023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#4042021#4012022#3762023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3322021#5012022#3692023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3312021#2522022#4612023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#6212021#3592022#3452023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2962021#5412022#4742023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#5142021#3322022#3362023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2562021#3562022#2872023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6432021#5832022#4372023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2852021#3752022#3152023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#6332019#6272020#5032023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3042021#3862022#4702023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3732021#6192022#5072023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3872021#3582022#6072023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4232021#2962022#2072023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4852021#3822022#2912023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2462021#2132022#1942023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2612020#4152021#6182022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6302021#3192022#5092023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3942020#4372022#3822023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#5532020#4822021#4772022

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3432018#3222019#5262020

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2742014#2542015#3692021

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2132020#2942022#2732023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1392015#1622016#2522018

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4182017#3432018#3982019

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2752014#2562015#1482016

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2202020#4422021#3012022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4192020#2912021#5612023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2572010#1002011#1932014

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1252016#2452018#2502019

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2162012#1512013#2262015

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1172014#962019#2502021

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1672015#1462019#2272021

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1662019#1512020#1622023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#892010#872011#1792013

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1412018#1172019#1382022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#512010#832012#792013

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#932009#522011#1312013

Popularity Rankings for Rachel in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#162011#132012#342017

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#882005#812006#712007

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1102021#1552022#1782023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1212021#1462022#1482023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1312020#1342021#1382022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1392021#2012022#1422023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1632000#1742001#1852002

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1772021#2082022#2502023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1772013#1932014#1982015

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1822011#1872013#2002015

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2222019#4582022#3902023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3642010#2542012#3862014

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3312019#3522020#3672021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4042020#5882021#6022022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4162017#4962019#4302023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4212011

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7242015#7112016#6582017

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Rachel a Name for Boys or Girls?

Typically used for girls, Rachel’s feminine connotation is deeply rooted in its biblical association with a prominent female figure.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Rachel

Rachel in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Rachel Carson (Biologist, 1907–1964): An American marine biologist and conservationist whose book "Silent Spring" sparked the modern environmental movement.
  • Rachel McAdams (Actress, born 1978): A Canadian actress acclaimed for her roles in "The Notebook" and "Spotlight."
  • Rachel Weisz (Actress, born 1970): A British actress who has won an Academy Award for her performance in "The Constant Gardener."
  • Rachel Maddow (Journalist, born 1973): An American television host and political commentator, best known for her show on MSNBC.
  • Rachel Bilson (Actress, born 1981): An American actress popular for her role in the TV series "The O.C."
  • Rachel Zoe (Fashion Designer, born 1971): An American fashion designer, businesswoman, and writer who has styled many Hollywood celebrities.
  • Rachel Corrie (Activist, 1979–2003): An American peace activist whose death in Gaza brought international attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Rachel Green ("Friends," 1994 TV Series): A fashion enthusiast and one of the main characters in this iconic sitcom.
  • Rachel Berry ("Glee," 2009 TV Series): A talented but ambitious singer who dreams of Broadway stardom.
  • "Rachel Getting Married" (2008 Film): A drama about a young woman who returns home for her sister's wedding after being in rehab.
  • Rachel Dawes ("Batman Begins," 2005 Film): A childhood friend and love interest of Bruce Wayne who works as an assistant district attorney.
  • "The Rachel Papers" (1989 Novel): Follows the life of a young man who is infatuated with an American girl named Rachel.
  • Rachel Zane ("Suits," 2011 TV Series): A paralegal who works her way up to become an attorney, known for her intelligence and dedication.
  • "Rachel, Rachel" (1968 Film): A story about a schoolteacher who experiences a late sexual awakening.
  • Rachel City (Nevada, USA): A small town located in the Nevada desert, famous for its proximity to Area 51.
  • Lake Rachel (Minnesota, USA): A freshwater lake in Douglas County, known for its fishing and recreational opportunities.
  • Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (Maine, USA): A wildlife refuge established to protect salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds.
  • Rachel Island (Nunavut, Canada): An island in the Arctic Archipelago, part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region.
  • Rachel Lake (Washington, USA): A scenic alpine lake located in the Cascade Mountains, popular for hiking and fishing.
  • Rachel Road (South Australia, Australia): A road in the city of Adelaide, featuring residential and commercial areas.
  • Rachel Falls (British Columbia, Canada): A waterfall located in the Monashee Mountains, known for its picturesque beauty.

Similar Names to Rachel

  • Rachelann
  • Rachid
  • Michell
  • Chantel
  • Christelle
  • Marcel