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At a Glance
- Meaning
- The foot of the giant (referring to its position in the constellation Orion)
- Origin
- Arabic
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- RYE-jəl
Rigel is an Arabic name meaning "the foot of the giant," a nod to the star's position in the constellation Orion. It's a short, crisp two-syllable name with a sky-gazing story built right in, and it's uncommon enough that your child is unlikely to share it with a classmate.
Meaning & Origin of Rigel
Meaning: The foot of the giant (referring to its position in the constellation Orion).
Origin: Arabic.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Rigel
RYE-jəlIPA /ˈraɪdʒəl/
Popularity of Rigel
Rigel reached its highest U.S. ranking at #3349 in 2016, when 34 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #6095, with 15 babies.
Names Like Rigel
These names have followed a similar path to Rigel in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Rigel mean?
The foot of the giant (referring to its position in the constellation Orion). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Rigel?
Rigel is pronounced RYE-jəl (IPA: /ˈraɪdʒəl/).
Is Rigel a popular name right now?
Rigel peaked at #3349 in 2016 and is ranked #6095 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1976–2024.)
Make Rigel Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Rigel, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Rigel? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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