Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Rachel
GirlHebrew· “ewe”
- Meaning
- ewe
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- RAY-chuhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #250
- US babies 2025
- 1,225
- Best rank
- #9 (1996)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Rachel
Rachel is a Hebrew name that means “ewe”.
Rachel comes from the Hebrew Rachel, meaning "ewe", a female sheep, an image of gentleness and value in a pastoral society. In the Book of Genesis, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob, for whom he worked many years, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her tomb near Bethlehem remains a site of pilgrimage. The name was taken up by English Protestants after the Reformation and has remained a steady classic. Rachel sounds gentle, warm and grounded, and it works across many languages. Rae and Rach are short forms, and Raquel is the Spanish and Portuguese version.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rachael.
Popularity over time
Rachel 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #9 in 1996, and the most babies received it in 1985, when 16,360 were named Rachel. In 2025, 1,225 babies were named Rachel, and it ranked #250 nationally. That is 37% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #156 in 1920, #189 in 1950, #23 in 1980, #21 in 2000, #99 in 2010, and #250 in 2025. Of the 573,957 US girls named Rachel since records began, 26% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 146,675 babies. Since 2010, 28,656 more have been named Rachel.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Christina, Amber, Erica, Nicole, and Whitney.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rachel ranked highest in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #32 | 312 |
| New Jersey | #52 | 135 |
| Pennsylvania | #198 | 58 |
| Maryland | #200 | 26 |
| Idaho | #214 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Rachel is usually pronounced RAY-chuhl, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rachael.
Middle names for Rachel
A few middle names that flow with Rachel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rachel
Similar names
Ariel Unisex
EH-ree-uhl
“lion of God” · Hebrew
#356
Zuriel Unisex
ZOOR-ee-ehl
“God is my rock” · Hebrew
#1,727
Sara Girl
SEH-ruh
“princess” · Hebrew
#198
Sarai Girl
suh-RY
“my princess” · Hebrew
#425
Hanna Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#512
Raquel Girl
rah-KEHL
“ewe” · Spanish
#1,123
Hannah Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#56
Leah Girl
LEE-uh
“weary” · Hebrew
#58
Sarah Girl
SAIR-uh
“princess” · Hebrew
#90
Anna Girl
AN-uh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#107
Eva Girl
EE-vuh
“life” · Latin
#134
Mary Girl
MEH-ree
“uncertain; often said bitter or beloved” · Hebrew
#125
Lists that include Rachel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rachel mean?
Rachel is a Hebrew name that means “ewe”.
What is the origin of the name Rachel?
Rachel has Hebrew roots. Rachel comes from the Hebrew Rachel, meaning "ewe", a female sheep, an image of gentleness and value in a pastoral society.
Is Rachel a popular name?
Yes. Rachel ranked #250 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Rachel a boy or girl name?
Rachel is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Rachel?
Rachel 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