Rahel
Every Rahel since 1971 — 511 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Rahel
Rahel is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #8,238 in 2025 with 13 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1971, 511 American babies have been named Rahel. Its peak came in 1996, when 23 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Rahel stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Rahel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | #8,238 |
| 2024 | 7 | #13,145 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 17 | #6,928 |
| 2021 | 5 | #17,117 |
| 2020 | 12 | #8,828 |
| 2019 | 22 | #5,756 |
| 2018 | 10 | #10,393 |
| 2017 | 8 | #12,489 |
| 2016 | 10 | #10,672 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,363 |
| 2014 | 13 | #8,858 |
| 2013 | 22 | #5,965 |
| 2012 | 11 | #10,268 |
| 2011 | 12 | #9,592 |
| 2010 | 16 | #7,808 |
| 2009 | 14 | #8,784 |
| 2008 | 17 | #7,665 |
| 2007 | 12 | #10,008 |
| 2006 | 13 | #9,150 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,602 |
| 2004 | 11 | #9,761 |
| 2003 | 8 | #12,131 |
| 2002 | 13 | #8,181 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,926 |
| 2000 | 8 | #11,533 |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,533 |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,347 |
| 1985 | 6 | #10,292 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Rahel
- Rahel Varnhagen Writer · 1771–1833
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Rahel in 2025?
Rahel ranked #8,238 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 13 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Rahel?
511 babies have been named Rahel in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Rahel most popular?
Rahel peaked in 1996, when 23 newborns received the name.
Is Rahel a boy or girl name?
Rahel is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Rahel rising or falling?
Rahel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Rahel?
Well-known people named Rahel include Rahel Varnhagen (writer).