Rachel

Meaning of Rachel

Rachel originates from the Hebrew רָחֵל (Raḥel), signifying “ewe,” and first enters the Western canon through the Book of Genesis, where Jacob’s beloved wife embodies both gentleness and determined agency as the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Across Anglo-American culture the name subsequently acquires layered associations: in Puritan New England it functions as a testamentary nod to Old Testament virtue; in nineteenth-century literature it lends quiet moral authority to characters such as Rachel Lynde of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne series; and in the twentieth century it becomes linked to scientific stewardship through marine biologist Rachel Carson. Empirical usage data from the United States confirm a pronounced life cycle: after occupying modest territory for three-quarters of a century, the name accelerated sharply, breaking into the national Top 10 in 1996, before entering a controlled descent that places it at rank 232 in 2024. This trajectory suggests that Rachel now offers parents a time-honored yet comparatively under-selected choice—familiar enough to ensure effortless pronunciation (RAY-chəl) but distant enough from peak saturation to feel distinctive. In sum, Rachel melds ancient etymology, scriptural gravitas, and a track record of accomplished namesakes, yielding a designation that balances tradition with understated contemporary appeal.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as RAY-chuhl (/ˈreɪtʃəl/)

• Rachael
• Rebecca
• Rochelle
• Rahel
• Rachelle
• Raquel
• Rachele