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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rahel

Rahel

♀ Girl

Pronounced RAH-hel /ˈrɑː.hɛl/Medium

Meaning: A form of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rahel, 'ewe' — a gentle pastoral image. Rachel is one of the matriarchs of the Hebrew Bible, wife of Jacob; the form Rahel is the standard spelling in German and is widely used in Ethiopia and Eritrea.Medium

In 30 seconds: The older, plainer face of Rachel: Rahel means 'ewe' in Hebrew (said 'RAH-hel') — the name of a biblical matriarch, and a favourite in Ethiopia and Germany.
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Origin MediumHebrew, German, Amharic
MeaningA form of Rachel, from the Hebrew Rahel, 'ewe' — a gentle pastoral image. Rachel is one of the matriarchs of the Hebrew Bible, wife of Jacob; the form Rahel is the standard spelling in German and is widely used in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
U.S. rank (2024)#14831 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1996
Total births (all-time)≈ 497

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199619712024

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

Rahel is the Hebrew name behind English Rachel, meaning 'ewe.' In the Hebrew Bible, Rahel is one of the matriarchs — the beloved wife of Jacob — and her name has travelled through Jewish, Christian, and Muslim tradition alike, which we note respectfully. The spelling Rahel is the ordinary German form and is very widely used in Ethiopia and Eritrea (said 'RAH-hel').

In the U.S. it is rare beside the far more common Rachel. Rare, ancient, and warm.

Did you know? Rahel is the Hebrew form behind Rachel — 'ewe,' a gentle pastoral word — and the name of a matriarch of the Hebrew Bible. The same spelling is standard in German and much loved in Ethiopia and Eritrea (said 'RAH-hel').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Rahel — Hebrew Rahel 'ewe'; biblical matriarch; German/Ethiopian form

Variations

RachelRachaelRaquel

Nicknames

RaeHela

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rahel…

Rachel— the familiar English form of the same name
Leah— the other matriarch, a like biblical pick
Naomi— a like warm biblical girls' name
Hannah— another gentle Hebrew classic

Explore names like Rahel

By themehebrewheritageclassicbiblical
By meaningGentle / Kind

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rahel mean?

Rahel is the Hebrew form of Rachel, meaning 'ewe' — the name of a matriarch of the Hebrew Bible.

How do you pronounce Rahel?

It's said RAH-hel /ˈrɑː.hɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rahel a boy or girl name?

Rahel is a girl's name.

How popular is Rahel?

Rahel is rare in the U.S., though it is common in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and German-speaking countries.

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