Originating from Latin, Rebecca is a timeless and elegant feminine given name that means 'to bind' or 'to attach'. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to its biblical association with Rebecca, the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob in the Old Testament. The name was further popularized by Sir Walter Scott's poem 'The Lady of the Lake', published in 1810, which features a character named Rebecca. Throughout history, notable figures bearing this name include Rebecca Rolls, an English medieval literary theorist, and Rebecca Horn, a German multimedia artist known for her innovative film work.
The name Rebecca peaked in popularity during the mid-1970s with eight babies named Rebecca born that year. After a notable dip to six births in 1982, it experienced another uptick with seven babies named Rebecca in 1984. By the early 2000s, its popularity had decreased further, with only five babies given the name Rebecca in 2000. Over this span of time, a total of twenty-six girls were named Rebecca.