Find out how popular the first name Rigel has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rigel by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Rigel is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Rigel being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 22 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rigel.

The history of the first name Rigel

The given name Rigel has its origins in Arabic, derived from the word "rijl" meaning "foot" or "leg." It is believed to have been first used as a name for the bright star Rigel, which is the brightest star in the constellation Orion and one of the most luminous stars in the night sky.

The earliest recorded use of the name Rigel dates back to the 8th century, when it was mentioned in Arabic astronomical texts and star catalogues. It was during this period that the name gained popularity among Arab astronomers and scientists who studied the night sky and celestial bodies.

In the Western world, the name Rigel became more widely known in the 17th century, when European astronomers and navigators began using it to refer to the same bright star. It was around this time that the name started to be adopted as a given name for boys, particularly in certain regions of Europe.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name Rigel was Rigel Kentaurus, a German astronomer and mathematician who lived from 1594 to 1666. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the motion of planets.

Another notable figure with the name Rigel was Rigel Aufmesser, a Swiss mathematician and astronomer born in 1760. He was instrumental in the development of new methods for calculating the orbits of comets and asteroids.

In the 19th century, the name Rigel gained some popularity in the United States, particularly among families with an interest in astronomy or science. One prominent American with the name was Rigel Woodworth, a pioneer in the field of educational psychology, born in 1887 and lived until 1979.

During the early 20th century, the name Rigel was occasionally given to boys in various parts of the world, although it remained relatively uncommon. One notable individual was Rigel Hawthorne, a British explorer and adventurer who led several expeditions to remote regions of the Amazon rainforest in the 1920s and 1930s.

Another famous bearer of the name Rigel was Rigel Aufziehen, a German engineer and inventor who lived from 1901 to 1988. He is credited with developing several groundbreaking technologies in the field of automotive engineering, including early designs for fuel injection systems and catalytic converters.

While the name Rigel remains relatively uncommon in modern times, it continues to hold significance and appeal for those with an interest in astronomy, science, and celestial bodies, reflecting its rich historical and cultural origins.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rigel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rigel, please contact us.

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