Rachel
Peaked at #9 nationally in 1996, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Rachel has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning "ewe," or female sheep. In Genesis, Rachel is Jacob's favored wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, one of the matriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Notable people & culture
Rachel peaked at #9 in 1996, boosted in part by Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel Green on the sitcom "Friends," whose haircut and popularity became a full-blown 1990s cultural phenomenon.
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Rachel — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#9
in 1996
Current rank
#247
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Rachel reached its peak popularity for girls in 1996, ranking #9 nationally with 16,120 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #155 (2014) to #247 (2024) — a 37% drop.
As of 2024, Rachel ranks #247 nationally for girls, with 1,285 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #247 | 1,285 |
| 2023 | #254 | 1,223 |
| 2022 | #241 | 1,261 |
| 2021 | #239 | 1,271 |
| 2020 | #226 | 1,305 |
| 2019 | #191 | 1,547 |
| 2018 | #198 | 1,558 |
| 2017 | #191 | 1,622 |
Rachel — Boys (United States)
StablePeak rank
#981
in 1984
Last ranked
#13636
in 2018
Years tracked
94
1899–2018
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1899, Rachel reached its peak popularity for boys in 1984, ranking #981 nationally with 83 babies given the name that year.
Rachel hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 2018, when it stood at #13636.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | #13,636 | 5 |
| 2014 | #13,565 | 5 |
| 2012 | #10,495 | 7 |
| 2009 | #14,001 | 5 |
| 2008 | #14,118 | 5 |
| 2007 | #10,625 | 7 |
| 2006 | #10,387 | 7 |
| 2005 | #6,131 | 13 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Rachel most popular?
Rachel was most popular in 1996, when it ranked #9 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Rachel becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently stable, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Rachel?
At least 574,486 babies have been recorded with the name Rachel in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Rachel? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.