Declining since 1985, #3,342 for girls today.
Popularity of Rachelle since 1911
Babies named Rachelle per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 100 |
| 1920s | 147 |
| 1930s | 162 |
| 1940s | 586 |
| 1950s | 1,855 |
| 1960s | 4,964 |
| 1970s | 8,403 |
| 1980s | 9,029 |
| 1990s | 5,437 |
| 2000s | 2,140 |
| 2010s | 836 |
| 2020s | 274 |
Meaning & origin
Rachelle entered U.S. records in 1911 and saw its peak usage in 1973. Since 1985, the name has been on a steady decline. In 2025, it ranked 3,342nd with a 1 in 34,941 frequency, reflecting its diminishing but continued use. The name has been most common in Pennsylvania and New York, suggesting a concentration in northeastern states. As a French-flavored elaboration of Rachel, Rachelle fits with the trend of feminine -elle endings that gained popularity in the mid-20th century.
Rachelle is a French elaboration of the Hebrew name Rachel, which derives from the Hebrew word for ewe. As a diminutive, it conveys endearment and was likely adopted in English-speaking countries alongside other French-suffixed feminine names in the 20th century. It has been recorded in the United States since 1911, with peak popularity in the 1970s.
Where Rachelle 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.
“Rachelle” around the world
Where Rachelle lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rae, Shelly
Sibling names for Rachelle
Names that share Rachelle's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Rachelle
Names whose popularity has moved with Rachelle's over the last 50 years.
