Rochelle first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Rochelle

A feminine name with French origins, meaning "little rock".

Popularity of Rochelle by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rochelle is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Rochelle being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 27 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Rochelle.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 27
2022 0 31
2021 0 45
2020 0 35
2019 0 31
2018 0 41
2017 0 38
2016 0 47
2015 0 60
2014 0 63
2013 0 55
2012 0 58
2011 0 58
2010 0 69
2009 0 86
2008 0 101
2007 0 74
2006 0 94
2005 0 134
2004 0 144
2003 0 135
2002 0 169
2001 0 159
2000 0 197
1999 0 218
1998 0 242
1997 0 265
1996 0 319
1995 6 356
1994 0 447
1993 0 514
1992 0 567
1991 5 625
1990 0 696
1989 10 707
1988 0 728
1987 5 740
1986 0 695
1985 0 673
1984 9 692
1983 7 684
1982 0 810
1981 10 813
1980 7 754
1979 6 792
1978 7 722
1977 7 711
1976 7 739
1975 0 829
1974 16 899

The history of the first name Rochelle

The name Rochelle is of French origin and has its roots in the Old French word "rochelle," which means "little rock." It is believed to have been derived from the name of the French town of La Rochelle, located in the western part of the country.

The earliest recorded use of the name Rochelle dates back to the 12th century, where it was used as a surname for those who lived near or came from the town of La Rochelle. Over time, the name transitioned from a surname to a given name, particularly popular among French Christians.

One of the earliest documented references to the name Rochelle can be found in the "Chanson de Roland," an ancient French epic poem dating back to the late 11th century. In this poem, a character named Rochelle is mentioned as a brave warrior who fought alongside the legendary Roland.

During the Middle Ages, the name Rochelle gained popularity among the French nobility and aristocracy. One notable historical figure with this name was Rochelle de Montmorency (1492-1557), a French noblewoman and courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Claude of France.

In the 17th century, the name Rochelle became associated with the Siege of La Rochelle, a significant event during the Huguenot rebellions in France. The city of La Rochelle was a Protestant stronghold, and its resistance against the Catholic forces led by King Louis XIII was renowned. This historical event further increased the name's recognition and association with strength and resilience.

Another notable figure with the name Rochelle was Rochelle de Vieux-Pont (1665-1722), a French playwright and poet who gained recognition for her works during the Age of Enlightenment. Her plays often explored themes of love, tragedy, and societal issues, earning her a prominent place in French literary history.

In the 19th century, the name Rochelle was popularized in the United States, particularly among French-Americans. One prominent American figure with this name was Rochelle Saltonstall (1792-1857), a philanthropist and social reformer who dedicated her life to improving the lives of the underprivileged and advocating for women's rights.

As the name Rochelle spread across different cultures and regions, it continued to be associated with strength, resilience, and a connection to French heritage. Rochelle Ascher (1901-1994) was a German-born American artist and sculptor known for her innovative works in metal and her involvement in the Bauhaus movement. Rochelle Owens (1936-present) is an American poet and playwright celebrated for her experimental writing and contributions to the avant-garde literary scene.

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

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

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"Rochelle first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 13, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/rochelle-meaning-and-history/.

"Rochelle first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/rochelle-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 December, 2024

Rochelle first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/rochelle-meaning-and-history/.

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