Rebecca

Rebecca is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the biblical Rebekah, wife of Isaac. The meaning is traditionally associated with the Hebrew root that can be interpreted as “to tie” or “to bind,” with some modern readings suggesting “captivating.” The name has many variants, including Rebekah, Rebekah, Rebekka, Rebeccah, and Rebecca itself. Common diminutives and nicknames include Becca, Beccy, and Becky.

The name Rebecca has been widely used in the English-speaking world since antiquity and gained particular prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is found in many languages with local spellings and pronunciations, and it remains a familiar choice in contemporary times.

Notable people named Rebecca span various fields. Examples include Rebecca Black, an American pop singer; Rebecca Hall, an English actress; Rebecca Ferguson, a Swedish-British actress; Rebecca Romijn, an American actress and former model; and Rebecca Sugar, an American animator and creator of the television series Steven Universe. The name is also used by many athletes, writers, and public figures.

In literature and film, Rebecca is the title of Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 Gothic novel, which centers on a young woman’s marriage and the lingering presence of her husband’s first wife. The novel’s 1940 film adaptation by Alfred Hitchcock is a classic of suspense and drama. The name continues to appear in popular culture and remains a commonly chosen given name in several countries.