Rheba
An uncommon feminine name of unknown origin, possibly stemming from Aramaic.
Name Census estimates that about 242 living Americans carry the first name Rheba. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Rheba today is around 78 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Rheba births was 1924 (52 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Rheba. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Rheba is about 78 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Rhebas were born before 1958.
People living today
242
~ 1 in 1,416,340 Americans
Peak year
1924
52 babies that year
Average age
78
years old
1964 SSA rank
#6,608
Tracked since 1901
Popularity
Rheba: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Rheba from the 1900s through to the 1960s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 361 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rheba by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Rheba during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Rhebas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 10 states and territories. Georgia, Texas, Arkansas recorded the most babies named Rheba, while Ohio, Indiana, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 12 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Rheba
The given name Rheba originates from the Hebrew language and culture, with its roots traced back to ancient times. The name is believed to have derived from the Hebrew word "revav," which translates to "abundance" or "plenty." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals as a symbol of prosperity and blessings.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Rheba can be found in the Book of Genesis, a sacred text in Judaism and Christianity. In this context, Rheba appears as a minor character, though the specific details surrounding their identity and significance remain obscure.
Throughout history, the name Rheba has been borne by several notable individuals. In the 3rd century BCE, Rheba of Edessa was a renowned philosopher and scholar from the ancient city of Edessa, now modern-day Şanlıurfa in Turkey. Her contributions to the field of metaphysics and ethics were highly regarded during her lifetime.
In the 5th century CE, Rheba the Hermit was a Christian ascetic who lived in the deserts of Egypt. She gained a reputation for her pious lifestyle and was venerated by the local communities for her devotion and spiritual wisdom.
During the Middle Ages, Rheba of Regensburg (1109-1179) was a Benedictine abbess and a prominent figure in the religious community of Regensburg, now located in modern-day Germany. She is remembered for her leadership and her efforts in promoting education and charitable works.
In the 16th century, Rheba Carew (1515-1580) was an English noblewoman and courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. She played a significant role in the royal court and was known for her intelligence and influence.
Lastly, in the 19th century, Rheba Crawford (1837-1912) was an American educator and activist who dedicated her life to promoting education and social reform. She founded several schools and advocated for the rights of women and minorities during a time of significant societal change.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Rheba throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human experience.
People
Rheba + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Rheba as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Rheba: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Rheba?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 242 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Rheba going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,416,340 US residents.
Is Rheba a common name?
We classify Rheba as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,207 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Rheba most popular?
The single biggest year for Rheba was 1924, when 52 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Rheba is about 78 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Rheba a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Rheba in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.