name
Common
Rachel
RAY-chuhl
Rachel (name) means a common female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "ewe.". Example: “Rachel has been one of the most popular names for girls for decades.”
name
1
A common female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "ewe."
"Rachel has been one of the most popular names for girls for decades."
"When Larissa Santos opened her front door and saw Rachel Bush for the first time, she was immediately flooded with emotions."
— Francesca Street, Her flight was canceled. Then she ended up on the doorstep of her future wife (2023)
2
In the Bible, the younger daughter of Laban and the second wife of Jacob.
How to use Rachel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA widely used girl's name of Biblical origin, also referring to a figure from the Book of Genesis.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Rachels
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Etymology
From Biblical Hebrew רָחֵל (rāḫēl), meaning "ewe," via Greek and Latin.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Rachel” mean?
The word “Rachel” means a common female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "ewe.". In plain terms, a widely used girl's name of Biblical origin, also referring to a figure from the Book of Genesis.
How do you pronounce “Rachel”?
“Rachel” is pronounced RAY-chuhl (/ˈɹeɪ.tʃəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Rachel” in a sentence?
Here is “Rachel” used in a sentence: “Rachel has been one of the most popular names for girls for decades.”
What part of speech is “Rachel”?
“Rachel” is a name.
Where does the word “Rachel” come from?
The word “Rachel” comes from Latin. From Biblical Hebrew רָחֵל (rāḫēl), meaning "ewe," via Greek and Latin.
Is “Rachel” a common word?
“Rachel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Rachel” have?
“Rachel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "ewe.".
Is Rachel a boy's or girl's name?
Rachel is traditionally a female given name. It has been used chiefly for girls across English-speaking and Hebrew traditions.
What is the origin of the name Rachel?
Rachel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'ewe', a female sheep. This pastoral meaning connects it to the biblical figure of the same name.
Who was Rachel in the Bible?
In the Bible, Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban and the second wife of Jacob. She is one of the matriarchs in the biblical narrative.
What is a common short form of the name Rachel?
'Rae' is a widely used short form of Rachel. It is sometimes chosen as a nickname or as a given name in its own right.
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