Rachel (Hebrew: רָחֵל, Modern: Raḥel, Tiberian: Rāḫēl, Rāḥēl), meaning "ewe",[1][2] is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, popularized by the biblical figure Rachel, the wife of Israelite patriarch Jacob.
Pronunciation | English: /ˈreɪtʃəl/ RAY-chəl French: [ʁaʃɛl] German: [ˈʁaxl̩] (Germany) or ⓘ[ˈraxl̩] (Austria/Switzerland) Dutch: [ˈrɑxəl] ⓘ |
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Gender | Female |
Origin | |
Word/name | Hebrew |
Meaning | "ewe", "one with purity" |
Other names | |
Nickname(s) | Rae, Rach |
Related names | Rachael, Rae, Rahel, Raquel |
Ashkenazi Jewish matronymic surnames Rokhlin (variants: Rochlin, Rohlin), Raskin, Raskine, Rashkin, Rashkind are derived from variants of the name. The Jewish version of the surname Ruskin is an Americanized form of Raskin.[3]
Sixteenth century baptismal records from England show that Rachel was first used by English Christians in the mid-1500s, becoming popular during the Protestant Reformation along with other names from the Bible.[4]
The name has been among the five hundred most commonly used names in recent years for newborn girls in France, Ireland, Israel, United Kingdom and the United States.[5][6] [7] [8] [9]
Notable people with the name include:
Dutch trauma informed coach born in the UK