Holding steady.
Popularity of Rheba since 1901
Babies named Rheba per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Rheba's real moment was 1906.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 55 |
| 1910s | 203 |
| 1920s | 361 |
| 1930s | 252 |
| 1940s | 176 |
| 1950s | 120 |
| 1960s | 40 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Rheba is a name of uncertain origin, likely a variant of Reba or a feminine form of Reuben. It first appeared in U.S. Social Security data in 1901, with a peak in 1906 (1,256th rank). Since then, its usage has been extremely sporadic, and it has not ranked in the top 1,000 names in any recent year. The trajectory is stable, meaning it has never seen a significant revival. The name is almost exclusively used for girls. Because it is so rare, no top states were recorded. Parents choosing Rheba today would be selecting a distinctive, vintage name with biblical associations, likely drawn to its simple, two-syllable sound and uncommon status.
Rheba is a rare name that likely emerged as a variant of Reba, which itself is a short form of the biblical name Rebecca. Rebecca, from the Hebrew Rivqah, means 'to bind' or 'to tie.' Some sources also suggest Rheba could be a feminine form of Reuben, meaning 'behold, a son.' The name appears sporadically in U.S. records from the early 1900s, with a peak in 1906, but has never been common.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rhe, Rhee
Sibling names for Rheba
Names that share Rheba's style, for a brother or sister.
