Declining since 1985, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Racheal since 1910
Babies named Racheal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 132 |
| 1920s | 158 |
| 1930s | 107 |
| 1940s | 153 |
| 1950s | 289 |
| 1960s | 478 |
| 1970s | 1,810 |
| 1980s | 3,374 |
| 1990s | 2,688 |
| 2000s | 1,043 |
| 2010s | 258 |
| 2020s | 30 |
Meaning & origin
Racheal is a spelling variant of the classic name Rachel. In the United States, the Social Security Administration first recorded the spelling Racheal in 1910. The name reached its highest popularity in 1985, when it ranked as the 7,824th most popular name for girls. Since then, its usage has been steadily falling, reflecting a broader shift away from the traditional Rachel name family. Today, Racheal is given to approximately 1 in 267,878 newborns, placing it at rank 13,208 in 2025. Though it lacks widespread regional dominance and never appeared among top state rankings, the variant persists among families seeking a slightly distinctive spelling of a biblical favorite. The name's origin is securely Hebrew, and its meaning 'ewe' carries pastoral connotations that connect to the matriarch Rachel.
Racheal is a variant spelling of Rachel, which derives from the Hebrew רָחֵל (Rakhel) meaning 'ewe' or 'female sheep.' In the Old Testament, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. The spelling 'Racheal' emerged as a phonetic variant in English, particularly in the United States, where it has been recorded since the early 20th century.
Where Racheal 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, Chel
Sibling names for Racheal
Names that share Racheal's style, for a brother or sister.
