Rachel

Rachel is a female given name of Hebrew origin. The name derives from the Hebrew Rachel (רָחֵל), meaning “ewe.” In the Bible, Rachel is the wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, a figure that has helped popularize the name in various cultures.

Variants of the name include Rachael and Rachelle, with different transliterations in other languages. The name has seen sustained use in English-speaking countries and among Jewish communities, with its popularity changing over time.

Notable people named Rachel include the American conservationist Rachel Carson, whose work helped launch the modern environmental movement; actress Rachel Weisz; Canadian actress Rachel McAdams; comedian and actress Rachel Bloom; and television host and author Rachel Maddow. In fiction, Rachel Green is a well-known character from the television series Friends. The name is widely recognized across different cultures due to its biblical origins and the prominence of these public figures.