Rachel

ClassicTimelessElegantBiblicalGentle

Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning 'ewe' or 'lamb,' symbolizing gentleness and purity. In the Bible, Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, making it a name with deep biblical significance.

Current Popularity

#250 for girls

in the United States (2025)

Projected 2026: #256, likely #234 to #278

↗Declining

Popularity over time

188019502020
Recent years · births per year

Dashed bar: 2026 (projected): 1,207. How this is calculated

Yearly values
  • 2011: 2,664
  • 2012: 2,420
  • 2013: 2,325
  • 2014: 2,090
  • 2015: 1,941
  • 2016: 1,884
  • 2017: 1,622
  • 2018: 1,558
  • 2019: 1,548
  • 2020: 1,305
  • 2021: 1,271
  • 2022: 1,263
  • 2023: 1,224
  • 2024: 1,292
  • 2025: 1,225
  • 2026 (projected): 1,207

Good to Know

Common nicknames: Rae, Rach, Rachie, Rae-Rae, Shelly
  • •Easy to spell and pronounce across many cultures
  • •Strong biblical heritage appeals to many families
  • •Maintains popularity without feeling trendy or dated
  • •Works well in both professional and casual settings
  • •Multiple spelling variations exist

Famous People

R

Rachel McAdams

Actress

R

Rachel Carson

Marine biologist and conservationist

R

Rachel Weisz

Academy Award-winning actress

R

Rachel Maddow

Television host and political commentator

Statistics

573,957

Total births since 1880

1985

Peak year

Discovery

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