Rachel
Rachel is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Ewe or female sheep.
Origin and history
Rachel is a classic biblical name derived from the Hebrew word for 'ewe.' It has been widely used throughout English-speaking countries for centuries and remains a enduring classic in the United States. Historically popular, it ranked as a top female name in the late 20th century.
Popularity in the United States
573,957 babies in the United States have been named Rachel since 1880. It ranks #50 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #239.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.5 %)
- NY (7.5 %)
- TX (7.1 %)
- PA (5 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,128 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,279 |
| 1900-1910 | 3,974 |
| 1910-1920 | 10,482 |
| 1920-1930 | 14,199 |
| 1930-1940 | 12,268 |
| 1940-1950 | 13,409 |
| 1950-1960 | 16,775 |
| 1960-1970 | 26,795 |
| 1970-1980 | 77,749 |
| 1980-1990 | 146,675 |
| 1990-2000 | 149,167 |
| 2000-2010 | 68,401 |
| 2010-2019 | 21,076 |
| 2020-2029 | 7,580 |
Famous people named Rachel
- Rachel McAdams: Actress
- Rachel Carson: Biologist, Author
- Rachel Weisz: Actress
Nicknames
Rach, Rae, Rachie
Fun facts
- Rachel is one of the four matriarchs in the Hebrew Bible.
- The character Rachel Green on the television show Friends boosted the name's popularity in the 1990s.