Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Raquel
GirlSpanish, Portuguese· “ewe”
- Meaning
- ewe
- Origin
- Spanish, Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- rah-KEHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,123
- US babies 2025
- 209
- Best rank
- #215 (1970)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Raquel
Raquel is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “ewe”.
Raquel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rachel, "ewe," a female sheep. In Genesis, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. The name has been used for centuries in Spain, Portugal and Latin America, and the actress Raquel Welch made it widely known in the United States. Raquel has a warm, confident sound with a touch of glamour. It is easy to say in English and Spanish, and Quel and Kela are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Raquel first appears in US Social Security records in 1900. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 95 different years, starting in 1927. Its best national rank was #215 in 1970, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,470 babies. In 2025, 209 babies were named Raquel, and it ranked #1,123 nationally. That is 45% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,001 in 1920, #840 in 1950, #301 in 1980, #342 in 2000, #606 in 2010, and #1,123 in 2025. Of the 50,697 US girls named Raquel since records began, 22% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 9,787 babies. Since 2010, 5,392 more have been named Raquel.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tonia, Dena, Leigh, Dina, and Deana.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Raquel ranked highest in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #561 | 14 |
| Connecticut | #610 | 5 |
| Texas | #758 | 40 |
| Arizona | #802 | 8 |
| Maryland | #817 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Raquel is usually pronounced rah-KEHL, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Raquel
A few middle names that flow with Raquel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Raquel
Similar names
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Lists that include Raquel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raquel mean?
Raquel is a Spanish and Portuguese name that means “ewe”.
What is the origin of the name Raquel?
Raquel has Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew roots. Raquel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rachel, "ewe," a female sheep.
Is Raquel a popular name?
Not especially. Raquel ranked #1,123 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Raquel a boy or girl name?
Raquel is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Raquel?
Raquel is usually pronounced rah-KEHL. 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