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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rachael

Rachael

♀ Girl

Pronounced RAY-chəl /ˈreɪ.tʃəl/High

Meaning: -ael spelling of Rachel — Hebrew, 'ewe' — the shepherdess Jacob loved and served fourteen years to wedHigh

In 30 seconds: The beloved, with an extra vowel: Rachael spells the matriarch Jacob worked fourteen years to marry — 'ewe', the shepherdess. TV chefs and Blade Runner made the -ael form familiar.
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Origin HighHebrew
Meaning-ael spelling of Rachel — Hebrew, 'ewe' — the shepherdess Jacob loved and served fourteen years to wed
U.S. rank (2025)#5066 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births26 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1990
Total births (all-time)≈ 82,466

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199018802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Rachael is an -ael spelling of Rachel — Hebrew, 'ewe' — the shepherdess matriarch for whom Jacob served twice seven years. The variant rode mid-century records and stays visible through Rachael Ray.

It registers thinly beside Rachel today. Rare, beloved-ewe at the root, and homey.

Did you know? Rachael Ray cooked the -ael spelling into American kitchens — while Blade Runner's replicant Rachael gave it sci-fi immortality.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Rachel — root etymology

Variations

RachelRachelleRaquel

Nicknames

RachRae

Famous Bearers

  • ★Rachael Ray (1968–present)
    American TV chef and talk-show host.

If you like Rachael…

Rachel— the standard spelling of the same name
Raquel— the Spanish glamour form
Rachelle— the French-styled sister
Leah— the biblical sister herself

Explore names like Rachael

By themehebrewbiblical
By meaningLove

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rachael mean?

Rachael is a spelling of Rachel, Hebrew for 'ewe' — the beloved shepherdess.

How do you pronounce Rachael?

It's said RAY-chəl /ˈreɪ.tʃəl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rachael a boy or girl name?

Rachael is a girl's name.

How popular is Rachael?

Rachael is a rare spelling in the U.S. today; Rachel is more common.

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