Rachel
Rachel is a Jewish girl name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Ewe”.
| Meaning | Ewe |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | רָחֵל |
| Pronunciation | RAY-chul |
| Tradition | Jewish, Christian |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Rachel
Rachel is the Hebrew Rahel, 'ewe', a female sheep, an image of gentleness in a herding culture. In Genesis, Rachel is the younger daughter of Laban whom Jacob loves and works fourteen years to marry; she becomes the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her tomb near Bethlehem is a place of pilgrimage. The name has been used by Jews for centuries and by English-speaking Christians since the Reformation.
Is Rachel a Jewish name?
Rachel is one of the four matriarchs of the Jewish people, and the prophet Jeremiah pictures her weeping for her children. She is equally familiar to Christians from the Old Testament.
How popular is Rachel?
A classic name across the English-speaking world and in Israel; less common for babies than in the 1980s.
Gifts with the name Rachel
- Rachel name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Rachel baby gifts (Amazon)
- Jewish baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Rachel
Names similar to Rachel
More Jewish girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rachel mean?
Rachel means 'Ewe'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Rachel a Jewish name?
Rachel is one of the four matriarchs of the Jewish people, and the prophet Jeremiah pictures her weeping for her children. She is equally familiar to Christians from the Old Testament.
How do you pronounce Rachel?
Rachel is pronounced RAY-chul.
Is Rachel a boy or girl name?
Rachel is usually a girl name.