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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Ewe (female sheep)
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- RAY-chul
Rachel is a Hebrew girl's name, pronounced RAY-chul (IPA /ˈreɪtʃəl/), rooted in a plain, literal word: ewe, or female sheep. Some lists dress this up as 'purity,' but that's an embellishment layered on afterward — the Hebrew simply names the animal. It's a timeless, classic name.
Meaning & Origin of Rachel
Meaning: Ewe (female sheep).
Origin: Hebrew.
A common claim: Some listicles expand this to 'ewe, one with purity' or romanticize it as a symbol of purity/innocence Actually: The 'purity' association is an embellishment not supported by the Hebrew etymology, which simply denotes a female sheep (ewe).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Rachel
RAY-chulIPA /ˈreɪtʃəl/
Popularity of Rachel
Rachel reached its high point in 1996, ranking #9 nationally with 16,120 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled to #247, with 1,285 babies — a steady presence across SSA records from 1880 through 2024, just well off its 1990s peak.
Names Like Rachel
These names share Rachel’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Rachel mean?
Ewe (female sheep). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Rachel?
Rachel is pronounced RAY-chul (IPA: /ˈreɪtʃəl/).
Is Rachel a popular name right now?
Rachel peaked at #9 in 1996 and is ranked #247 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Rachel Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Rachel, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Rachel? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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