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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rahab

Rahab

♀ Girl

Pronounced RAY-hab /ˈreɪ.hæb/Medium

Meaning: A Hebrew name generally read as 'broad, wide, spacious'. In the Book of Joshua, Rahab is a woman of Jericho — described in the text as a prostitute — who shelters the Israelite spies and is spared when the city falls. She is named in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus and is honoured in Jewish and Christian tradition for her courage and faith.Low

In 30 seconds: Rahab is Hebrew, 'broad, spacious' — and the name of the woman of Jericho in the Book of Joshua (said 'RAY-hab').
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Origin MediumHebrew
MeaningA Hebrew name generally read as 'broad, wide, spacious'. In the Book of Joshua, Rahab is a woman of Jericho — described in the text as a prostitute — who shelters the Israelite spies and is spared when the city falls. She is named in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus and is honoured in Jewish and Christian tradition for her courage and faith.
U.S. rank (2020)#16975 ↗ Rising
2020 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 33

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201620072020

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

Rahab is a Hebrew name usually read as 'broad, wide, spacious'. In the Book of Joshua, Rahab is a woman of Jericho who hides the Israelite spies on her roof and is spared when the city falls; the text describes her as a prostitute, which we state plainly and neutrally rather than hide. She is named in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, and both Jewish and Christian tradition honour her for her courage and her faith. A name of real weight (said 'RAY-hab').

It appears only rarely in the U.S., though it is used in Kenya and other Christian communities. Rare, biblical, and carrying a full story.

Did you know? Rahab is one of only a handful of women named in Matthew's genealogy — a foreigner and an outsider, remembered for the courage that saved the spies. The Book of Joshua also describes her as a prostitute; we state that plainly so families can choose with open eyes.
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Rahab — Book of Joshua ch. 2 and 6; Matthew's genealogy; Hebrew 'broad, spacious'

Variations

RachabRahavRehab

Nicknames

RahHabi

Famous Bearers

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If you like Rahab…

Ruth— another woman named in Matthew's genealogy
Tamar— a like Hebrew name with a full story
Naomi— a like biblical name of courage
Deborah— a like Old Testament woman of nerve

Explore names like Rahab

By themehebrewbiblicaltraditionalreligious
By meaningBrave / CourageHonor

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rahab mean?

Rahab is Hebrew, generally read as 'broad, wide, spacious'.

Who was Rahab in the Bible?

A woman of Jericho in the Book of Joshua who sheltered the Israelite spies and was spared when the city fell. The text describes her as a prostitute; she is named in Matthew's genealogy and is honoured in Jewish and Christian tradition for her courage and faith.

Is Rahab a boy or girl name?

Rahab is a girl's name.

How popular is Rahab?

Rahab is a rare name for girls in the U.S., though it is used in Kenya and in some Christian communities.

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