Declining since 1986, #4,987 for girls today.
Popularity of Rachael since 1880
Babies named Rachael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 113 |
| 1890s | 185 |
| 1900s | 254 |
| 1910s | 932 |
| 1920s | 962 |
| 1930s | 522 |
| 1940s | 726 |
| 1950s | 1,249 |
| 1960s | 3,048 |
| 1970s | 12,724 |
| 1980s | 25,670 |
| 1990s | 24,515 |
| 2000s | 9,144 |
| 2010s | 2,139 |
| 2020s | 286 |
Meaning & origin
Rachael is a spelling variant of the classic biblical name Rachel, which has been in use since the Middle Ages. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, and its peak year was 1987, when it ranked much higher than its current position of 4,987th in 2025. Today, about 1 in 61,818 newborn girls receives this name, indicating its decline from the height of its popularity in the 1980s. The trajectory has been falling since 1986, and with no top states showing particular concentration, Rachael remains a familiar but increasingly rare choice.
Rachael is a spelling variant of Rachel, which comes from the Hebrew name רָחֵל (Rachel) meaning 'ewe' or 'female sheep.' In the Bible, Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, making the name a traditional favorite among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families. The spelling Rachael emerged as an alternative, particularly in English-speaking countries, and was occasionally used in the medieval period but became more common in the 20th century.
Where Rachael is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rae, Rachie, Cherry
Sibling names for Rachael
Names that share Rachael's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Rachael
Names whose popularity has moved with Rachael's over the last 50 years.
