MallowbyNames

Rakel

RAH-kel · A Spanish and Scandinavian form of Rachel, meaning "ewe" in Hebrew.

Peak popularity
2002
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Rakel since 1979

Babies named Rakel per year in U.S. Social Security records.

51015198020002020Most births 2002Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s5
1980s44
1990s79
2000s107
2010s70
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Rakel is a Spanish and Scandinavian form of Rachel, a name with ancient biblical roots. In the United States, Rakel first appeared on record in 1979 and saw its peak usage in 2002, though it has never reached the top 1,000 names. Its trajectory has remained stable over time, and it has not been recorded in any specific top U.S. states. The name's rarity gives it a distinctive quality while remaining recognizable through its connection to the classic Rachel.

Rakel is a Spanish and Scandinavian variant of Rachel, which derives from the Hebrew root רחל (rakhel) meaning "ewe" (female sheep). The name Rachel appears in the Old Testament as the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, giving the name deep biblical roots. While Rakel is the standard form in Spanish and Scandinavian languages, it has been used in these regions for centuries, often reflecting the spread of biblical names through Christian traditions.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Raki

Sibling names for Rakel

Names that share Rakel's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Sofie, Maja, Elsa, Nora, Astrid

Brothers: Erik, Lars, Jonas, Anders, Oskar

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

R is for Rakel, our favorite little girl.

R is for Rakel…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Rakel's letter becomes Rakel's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Rakel's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Rakel mean?
Rakel means "ewe" or "female sheep" in Hebrew, as it is a form of the biblical name Rachel.
How popular is Rakel?
Rakel has never ranked among the top 1,000 names in the United States. Its peak year was 2002.
Is Rakel a boy or girl name?
Rakel is exclusively used as a girl's name.