Rachel: meaning and origin

About the name Rachel

Rachel is a girl’s name from the Hebrew tradition. Its meaning is “ewe, a female sheep”. Names from Hebrew, many of them from the Bible. They have been used in English for centuries — from Hannah and Sarah to Noah, Elijah and Levi.

Rachel is a biblical name, found in the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament, which is one reason it has been used for centuries in English-speaking families.

It’s a classic: a name that has been used for generations and still feels fresh.

Tips before you choose

• Say the full name out loud with your last name, and with any middle name.
• Check the initials — and what they spell.
• Think about nicknames kids might make from it.
• Write it down: is the spelling easy for teachers and friends?