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Name Origin

Rachel is a Hebrew given name meaning 'ewe' or 'female sheep'. It is a Biblical name, borne by the wife of Jacob in the Old Testament.

biblicalhebrewfemininenatureanimalewesheep

Famous People

Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

Marine biologist and conservationist

Author of 'Silent Spring'
Sparked the modern environmental movement

Rachel McAdams (1978-)

Actress

Nominated for two Academy Awards
Known for roles in 'Mean Girls', 'The Notebook', and 'Spotlight'

Rachel Maddow (1973-)

Television host and political commentator

Host of MSNBC's 'The Rachel Maddow Show'
First openly gay anchor to host a major news program

Rachel Weisz (1970-)

Actress

Academy Award winner for 'The Constant Gardener'
Known for roles in 'About a Boy', 'The Mummy' and 'Black Widow'

Rachel Platten (1981-)

Singer-songwriter

Known for the hit song 'Fight Song'
Grammy Award nominee

Sibling Names

Hannah

Both Hannah and Rachel are classic biblical names with a timeless elegance, sharing Hebrew origins and a gentle sound.

Ethan

Ethan complements Rachel nicely with its similar soft yet strong feel. Both names have biblical roots and work well for both boys and girls in modern times.

Sarah

Sharing a common Hebrew origin and timeless quality, Sarah pairs beautifully with Rachel. Both names convey a sense of strength and grace.