Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Rachael
GirlHebrew, English· “ewe”
- Meaning
- ewe
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- RAY-chuhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,066
- US babies 2025
- 26
- Best rank
- #98 (1987)
- Peak year
- 1990
Meaning and origin of Rachael
Rachael is a Hebrew and English name that means “ewe”.
Rachael is a variant spelling of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rahel, meaning ewe, a female sheep, a symbol of gentleness in pastoral cultures. In the Book of Genesis, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, and her story made the name widely used among Jews and Christians. The Rachael spelling is a longstanding English alternative. Actress Rachael Ray and actress Rachael Leigh Cook are well-known bearers. The name feels classic and warm, with Rae and Rach as easy nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rachel.
Popularity over time
Rachael has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 127 different years. Its best national rank was #98 in 1987, and the most babies received it in 1990, when 3,028 were named Rachael. In 2025, 26 babies were named Rachael, and it ranked #5,066 nationally. That is 86% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #664 in 1920, #969 in 1950, #142 in 1980, #228 in 2000, #698 in 2010, and #5,066 in 2025. Of the 82,469 US girls named Rachael since records began, 31% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 24,515 babies. Since 2010, 2,425 more have been named Rachael.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kara, Ana, Meagan, Britney, and Alisha.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Rachael is usually pronounced RAY-chuhl, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with R and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rachel.
Middle names for Rachael
A few middle names that flow with Rachael: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rachael
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Lists that include Rachael
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rachael mean?
Rachael is a Hebrew and English name that means “ewe”.
What is the origin of the name Rachael?
Rachael has Hebrew and English roots. Rachael is a variant spelling of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rahel, meaning ewe, a female sheep, a symbol of gentleness in pastoral cultures.
Is Rachael a popular name?
Not especially. Rachael ranked #5,066 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rachael a boy or girl name?
Rachael is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Rachael?
Rachael is usually pronounced RAY-chuhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings