Rachel is a female given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "rakhel," which means "ewe" or "lamb." The name Rachel is also associated with the biblical figure Rachel, who was one of the wives of Jacob and the mother of Joseph in the Old Testament. According to the Bible, Rachel's tomb is located near Bethlehem. The name Rachel has been used for centuries and has been popular among Christians throughout history. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional yet meaningful name for their daughters.
The name Rachel has been a popular choice for baby girls in the United States over the past century and a half, as evidenced by the statistics provided. In 1880, there were 166 births with the name Rachel, marking the beginning of its popularity.
Throughout the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Rachel fluctuated but remained relatively steady, ranging from a low of 267 in 1891 to a high of 393 in 1902. However, starting in the 1940s, there was a significant increase in the number of baby girls named Rachel.
In 1945, there were 2,868 births with the name Rachel, and by 1967, this number had grown to 3,314. This trend continued into the late 20th century, with a peak of 15,839 births in 1992.
However, since the turn of the millennium, there has been a decline in the popularity of the name Rachel. In 2000, there were still 10,686 births with the name Rachel, but this number had fallen to just 1,258 by 2022.
Overall, over the course of 142 years, a total of 571,362 baby girls have been named Rachel in the United States. This demonstrates that while Rachel may not be as popular now as it once was, it remains a classic and enduring choice for parents looking to name their daughters with a traditional yet beautiful name.