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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rachelle

Rachelle

♀ Girl

Pronounced rə-SHEL /rəˈʃɛl/High

Meaning: Ewe, female sheep; an elaborated French-style form of Rachel, from Hebrew RachelHigh

In 30 seconds: Rachel in an evening gown: the French-styled Rachelle softens the biblical classic with a chic -elle ending. The meaning stays the same — 'ewe', a symbol of gentleness.
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Origin HighHebrew, French
MeaningEwe, female sheep; an elaborated French-style form of Rachel, from Hebrew Rachel
U.S. rank (2025)#3375 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births46 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1971
Total births (all-time)≈ 33,928

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197119112025

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

Rachelle dresses the Hebrew classic Rachel — the beloved matriarch of Genesis, whose name means 'ewe' — in the French -elle ending of names like Michelle and Danielle. In Genesis, Jacob works fourteen years to marry Rachel, one of the Bible's great love stories.

The Rachelle form bloomed in midcentury America alongside the Michelle wave, peaking when French-feeling -elle names were at their height. Today it is an uncommon choice, reading as a slightly retro, romantic twist on the evergreen Rachel.

Did you know? The great French tragedienne known simply as Rachel (born Elisa Félix in 1821) so dominated the Paris stage that her single name became shorthand for theatrical genius.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Rachelle — etymology

Variations

RachelRochelleRachele

Nicknames

RaeShelly

Famous Bearers

  • ★Rachelle Lefevre (1979–present)
    Canadian actress known for the Twilight films and the series Under the Dome.

If you like Rachelle…

Rachel— the biblical classic Rachelle elaborates
Michelle— the midcentury hit that set the -elle fashion
Danielle— a fellow French feminine with the same ending and era
Lucille— shares the -le ending
Joelle— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Rachelle

By themebiblicalfrenchvintage

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rachelle mean?

Rachelle is an elaborated form of Rachel, the Hebrew name of the Genesis matriarch, meaning 'ewe'.

How do you pronounce Rachelle?

It's said rə-SHEL /rəˈʃɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Rachelle a boy or girl name?

Rachelle is a girl's name.

How popular is Rachelle?

Rachelle is an uncommon name in the U.S. today, after enjoying midcentury popularity alongside Michelle.

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