Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Rachelle
GirlFrench, Hebrew· “variant of Rachel, 'ewe'”
- Meaning
- variant of Rachel, 'ewe'
- Origin
- French, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ruh-SHEHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,375
- US babies 2025
- 46
- Best rank
- #259 (1984)
- Peak year
- 1971
Meaning and origin of Rachelle
Rachelle is a French and Hebrew name that means “variant of Rachel, 'ewe'”.
Rachelle is a French-style variant of Rachel, which comes from the Hebrew for ewe, a symbol of gentleness. In the Bible, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. The name has been used by Jewish and Christian families for centuries. Rachelle adds a soft French ending and is usually pronounced ruh-SHEL. It became popular in English-speaking countries in the twentieth century. Shelly and Rae are possible nicknames. The name keeps the biblical depth of Rachel while adding an elegant, melodic touch.
Popularity over time
Rachelle first appears in US Social Security records in 1911. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 57 different years, starting in 1947. Its best national rank was #259 in 1984, and the most babies received it in 1971, when 997 were named Rachelle. In 2025, 46 babies were named Rachelle, and it ranked #3,375 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,744 in 1920, #830 in 1950, #265 in 1980, #804 in 2000, #1,710 in 2010, and #3,375 in 2025. Of the 33,933 US girls named Rachelle since records began, 27% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 8,403 babies. Since 2010, 1,110 more have been named Rachelle.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cherie, Candy, Karin, Angelique, and Jodie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rachelle ranked highest in Pennsylvania and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #1568 | 5 |
| New York | #2345 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Rachelle is usually pronounced ruh-SHEHL, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with R and ends in “-le”.
Middle names for Rachelle
A few middle names that flow with Rachelle: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rachelle
Similar names
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Lists that include Rachelle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rachelle mean?
Rachelle is a French and Hebrew name that means “variant of Rachel, 'ewe'”.
What is the origin of the name Rachelle?
Rachelle has French and Hebrew roots. Rachelle is a French-style variant of Rachel, which comes from the Hebrew for ewe, a symbol of gentleness.
Is Rachelle a popular name?
Not especially. Rachelle ranked #3,375 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rachelle a boy or girl name?
Rachelle is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Rachelle?
Rachelle is usually pronounced ruh-SHEHL. 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