Find out how popular the first name Rochel has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rochel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rochel is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 116 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Rochel.

The history of the first name Rochel

The name Rochel is a variant spelling of the Hebrew name Rachel. It originated in the ancient Semitic languages of the Middle East, with its roots traced back to the Biblical Hebrew name רָחֵל (Rāchēl). The name likely stems from the Hebrew word רָחָה (rāchāh), meaning "ewe" or "female sheep." Alternatively, some scholars suggest it may derive from the Hebrew verb רָחַח (rāchāch), meaning "to journey" or "to wander."

The name Rochel first appears in the Book of Genesis, where Rachel is described as the beloved wife of the patriarch Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel's story is significant in the Hebrew Bible, and she is revered as one of the four Matriarchs of the Jewish faith.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rochel can be found in the Babylonian Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism compiled between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE. The Talmud mentions several notable figures with the name, including Rabbi Rochel, a sage from the 3rd century CE.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the name Rochel or its variations. One of the earliest was Rochel Imeinu (c. 1600 BCE), the Biblical Matriarch mentioned above. Another prominent figure was Rochel Whiteread (1963-1993), a British artist best known for her sculpture "House," for which she won the prestigious Turner Prize in 1993.

In the realm of literature, Rochel Leah Goldstein (1901-1997) was a Yiddish writer and poet who made significant contributions to the Yiddish literary canon. Rochel Sobolev (1923-2013) was a Soviet-born Israeli writer and activist who fought for women's rights and the preservation of Yiddish culture.

In the field of science, Rochel Rosenzweig (1918-2020) was an American physicist and chemist who made significant contributions to the understanding of radiation biology and the effects of radiation on living organisms.

While these are just a few examples, the name Rochel has been borne by countless individuals throughout history, each leaving their unique mark on the world.

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 Rochel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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