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Home › Baby Names Directory › Raquel

Raquel

♀ Girl

Pronounced ruh-KEL /rəˈkɛl/High

Meaning: Ewe (female sheep); Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel, from Hebrew rakhel (ewe)High

In 30 seconds: The Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel, meaning 'ewe' (female sheep) in Hebrew. The ewe was a symbol of gentle care and maternal tenderness in the ancient Near East.
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Origin HighSpanish, Hebrew
MeaningEwe (female sheep); Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel, from Hebrew rakhel (ewe)
U.S. rank (2024)#1071 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births232 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1970
Total births (all-time)≈ 50,483

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197019002024

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

Raquel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel, from Hebrew rakhel (ewe, female sheep). In the Hebrew Bible, Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. The ewe had pastoral and maternal symbolism in the ancient Near East.

Raquel has been used in Spanish-speaking communities for centuries. In the U.S. it is most associated with actress Raquel Welch (1940–2023). It ranked #1071 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Rachel, whose name Raquel preserves, was one of the great loves of the Hebrew Bible — Jacob worked 14 years for Laban to marry her, making their story one of antiquity's most enduring romantic epics.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Raquel — Hebrew/Spanish etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RachelRachell

Nicknames

RockyRaqui

Famous Bearers

  • ★Raquel Welch (1940–2023)
    American actress and model, an iconic sex symbol of the 1960s–70s, known for One Million Years B.C. and The Three Musketeers.

If you like Raquel…

Rachel— the English form of the same Hebrew name
Ramona— Spanish feminine name with the same warm Iberian heritage
Rosario— Spanish Marian name with the same devotional Spanish heritage
Jael— a fellow Hebrew choice
Yael— another biblical pick

Explore names like Raquel

By themehebrewspanishclassicbiblicalhispanic

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Raquel mean?

Raquel means 'ewe' (female sheep), as the Spanish/Portuguese form of Hebrew Rachel. The ewe symbolized gentle maternal care in ancient tradition.

How do you pronounce Raquel?

It's said ruh-KEL — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Raquel a boy or girl name?

Raquel is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Raquel?

Raquel ranked #1071 for U.S. girls in 2024.

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