Name meaning & stats
Rachel
Rachel means “ewe” (Hebrew origin). 529,191 US babies since 1940, peak 1985. Notable Rachels are 1.9× over-represented as footballers.
What it means
“ewe”
HebrewWell documented
From Biblical Hebrew Rachel.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1985
529,191 US babies were named Rachel between 1940 and 2025.
Where Rachels end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | 1.0× | High · 100 people |
| Writer | 1.1× | High · 79 people |
| Footballer | 1.9× | High · 58 people |
| Singer | 1.1× | High · 51 people |
Among notable women who are footballers, Rachels show up 1.9× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Rachel has a surprise career: 1.5×
Spelling family
The most common spelling: 80% of the family
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1985)