Rachel is a feminine given name that has its origins in Hebrew. The name Rachel means "ewe" or "female sheep." In the Bible, Rachel was one of the wives of Jacob and the mother of Joseph.
The name Rachel has been popular throughout history and has been borne by many notable individuals. For example, Rachel Carson was an American marine biologist and conservationist whose groundbreaking book Silent Spring helped launch the modern environmental movement. Rachel Whitley is a British actress who is best known for her role in the television series "The Paradise."
Rachel has also been used as a surname throughout history, particularly among Jewish families.
Today, Rachel remains a popular name for girls in many parts of the world. It is often spelled with an "h" at the end, although the original Hebrew spelling does not include this letter. The name can be pronounced in various ways depending on one's accent and location, but it is most commonly pronounced as "RAY-chehl."
Overall, Rachel is a beautiful and meaningful name that has stood the test of time, with a rich history and many notable bearers throughout the centuries.
It appears the name Rachal experienced significant popularity from the mid-60s to the late 80s with peaks in the late 60s and early 70s. After 1994, the number of annual births named Rachal consistently declined, reaching a low point in recent years (2005-2008). Overall, over the span of nearly eight decades, there were a total of 1323 babies named Rachal.