Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Rochelle
GirlFrench· “little rock (French)”
- Meaning
- little rock (French)
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- roh-SHEHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,646
- US babies 2025
- 30
- Best rank
- #236 (1969)
- Peak year
- 1969
Meaning and origin of Rochelle
Rochelle is a French name that is usually said to mean “little rock (French)”.
Rochelle comes from French and means little rock, from roche, rock, with a diminutive ending. It is best known from La Rochelle, the historic port city on the Atlantic coast of France. As a given name it became familiar in English-speaking countries in the twentieth century, and some families treat it as an elaboration of Rachel because of the shared sound. The pronunciation is roh-SHEHL, with the stress on the second syllable. Shelly and Ro are natural nicknames. With its French elegance and retro warmth, it offers a less common alternative to Michelle or Rachelle.
Popularity over time
Rochelle first appears in US Social Security records in 1900. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 68 different years, starting in 1921. Its best national rank was #236 in 1969, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,271 babies. In 2025, 30 babies were named Rochelle, and it ranked #4,646 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,203 in 1920, #342 in 1950, #321 in 1980, #1,057 in 2000, #2,635 in 2010, and #4,646 in 2025. Of the 46,994 US girls named Rochelle since records began, 21% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 9,082 babies. Since 2010, 726 more have been named Rochelle.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sonja, Lara, Deana, Alisa, and Tonia.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Rochelle is usually pronounced roh-SHEHL, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with R and ends in “-le”.
Middle names for Rochelle
A few middle names that flow with Rochelle: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rochelle
Similar names
Rachelle Girl
ruh-SHEHL
“variant of Rachel, 'ewe'” · French
#3,375
Nicole Girl
nih-KOHL
“victory of the people” · French
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Michelle Girl
mih-SHEHL
“who is like God?” · French
#465
Janelle Girl
zhuh-NEHL
“elaboration of Jane” · American (modern coinage)
#801
Joelle Girl
joh-EHL
“Yahweh is God” · French
#1,010
Adelle Girl
uh-DEHL
“variant of Adele, noble” · French
#4,760
Brielle Girl
bree-EHL
“short form of Gabrielle” · American (modern coinage)
#143
Giselle Girl
jih-ZEL
“pledge” · French
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Camille Girl
kuh-MEEL
“ceremonial attendant” · French
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Noelle Girl
noh-EHL
“Christmas” · French
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Lucille Girl
loo-SEEL
“light” · French
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Adele Girl
uh-DEHL
“noble” · French
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Lists that include Rochelle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rochelle mean?
Rochelle is a French name that is usually said to mean “little rock (French)”.
What is the origin of the name Rochelle?
Rochelle has French roots. Rochelle comes from French and means little rock, from roche, rock, with a diminutive ending.
Is Rochelle a popular name?
Not especially. Rochelle ranked #4,646 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rochelle a boy or girl name?
Rochelle is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Rochelle?
Rochelle is usually pronounced roh-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