Names › Girls' names › R › Rachel

Rachel

Meaning: ewe · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

Hebrew for 'ewe', a symbol of gentleness. Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob in the Bible.

Famous people named Rachel

Rachel Carson (scientist)
Rachel McAdams (actor)

Nicknames

Rach, Rae

Variants & related names

Rachael, Raquel, Rahel

Rachel name art

A free preview of a printable “Rachel” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Rachel mean?

Rachel means “ewe”. It comes from Hebrew.

Is Rachel a popular name?

Yes — Rachel has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Rachel?

Rach, Rae.

What are other forms of Rachel?

Rachael, Raquel, Rahel.

Similar names

Rebecca · Ruth · Seraphina · Talia · Miriam · Danielle

More: names starting with R · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.