Rachel, of Hebrew origin, means "ewe" or "female sheep." It is often associated with the biblical character Rachel, the favorite wife of Jacob and mother to Joseph and Benjamin in the Book of Genesis. The name Rachel gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages, possibly due to its association with the biblical figure. In recent years, it has been a consistently popular choice for baby girls in many English-speaking countries. Notable individuals named Rachel include Rachel Carson, the influential American marine biologist and conservationist, and Rachel Whiteread, a renowned British sculptor.
The name Rachel experienced a gap in popularity between 1982 and 1987, with no recorded births for five years after the initial five births in 1982.