Rebecca Name Meaning

Rebecca is a strong and timeless name that has been around for centuries that means “to bind”. It’s a name that represents beauty, wisdom, and intelligence. It also connotes a sense of tradition and history. It is a name that has been passed down through generations, and it’s likely to continue to be popular for many years to come.

Origins of the Name Rebecca

The name Rebecca comes from the Hebrew language, and it means “to bind” or “to tie.” It’s derived from the word “ribkah,” which is related to the verb “r-b-k,” meaning “to tie a knot.” In the Bible, Rebecca is the name of the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. She is considered a strong and intelligent woman, known for her beauty and wisdom.

Popularity of the Name Rebecca

Rebecca’s rise to popularity can be traced back to the 18th century, when the name began to appear more frequently in literature and plays. In 1740, the novel “Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded” was published, which featured a character named Rebecca. The book was a huge success, and it’s believed that this helped to boost the name’s popularity.

In the 19th century, the name Rebecca continued to gain popularity, especially in the United States. In 1880, it was the 18th most popular name for girls in the US. And by the turn of the 20th century, it had risen to the 11th most popular name.

The name’s popularity continued to grow in the 20th century, peaking in the 1980s at number 11 on the list of the most popular names. However, Rebecca’s popularity has decreased in the 21st century, but it’s still a classic and timeless name, that’s always been present in the top 100 most popular names.

Rebecca has been a popular name in literature, television and movies. One of the most notable examples is Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel “Rebecca,” which tells the story of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower and becomes the second Mrs. de Winter. The novel was a bestseller and was later adapted into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1940. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

In recent years, the name Rebecca has been used in the popular TV series “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” where the main character is named Rebecca Bunch. The show has been praised for its comedic and musical elements, which has helped to further popularize the name among audiences.

Final Thoughts on the Name Rebecca

Rebecca is a classic and timeless name that has a rich history and meaning. It’s a name that represents beauty, wisdom, and intelligence. And it’s a name that has stood the test of time, remaining popular for centuries. So, whether you’re a new parent looking for a name for your little girl, or simply someone who’s curious about the history of names, Rebecca is definitely a name worth considering.

Infographic of Rebecca name meaning, which is Rebecca is a Hebrew name meaning to join or to bind.
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Rebecca Name Popularity

How popular is the name Rebecca? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 154 482 0.1369%
1911 148 506 0.1359%
1912 146 718 0.1424%
1913 161 684 0.1206%
1914 163 850 0.122%
1915 160 1,132 0.1246%
1916 171 1,091 0.1129%
1917 165 1,196 0.1195%
1918 172 1,221 0.1138%
1919 170 1,238 0.1182%
1920 175 1,230 0.1106%
1921 175 1,254 0.1095%
1922 173 1,268 0.1138%
1923 174 1,246 0.1112%
1924 170 1,330 0.1145%
1925 185 1,167 0.1032%
1926 184 1,111 0.101%
1927 171 1,213 0.1096%
1928 184 1,082 0.1011%
1929 181 1,061 0.1024%
1930 176 1,083 0.1037%
1931 172 1,046 0.106%
1932 163 1,153 0.1167%
1933 169 1,037 0.1113%
1934 165 1,139 0.1178%
1935 163 1,181 0.1215%
1936 165 1,158 0.1202%
1937 167 1,169 0.1186%
1938 145 1,554 0.1518%
1939 134 1,779 0.1749%
1940 96 2,527 0.2377%
1941 86 2,909 0.2585%
1942 85 3,222 0.2552%
1943 87 3,252 0.2491%
1944 84 3,221 0.2599%
1945 85 3,317 0.272%
1946 67 4,837 0.3278%
1947 52 6,330 0.3792%
1948 50 6,791 0.4254%
1949 40 8,775 0.5455%
1950 36 9,427 0.5855%
1951 32 10,931 0.6447%
1952 30 12,228 0.7005%
1953 24 12,960 0.7323%
1954 26 13,209 0.7226%
1955 27 12,396 0.6739%
1956 27 12,171 0.6444%
1957 34 11,487 0.597%
1958 41 10,404 0.5505%
1959 38 10,475 0.5513%
1960 38 9,967 0.526%
1961 44 10,234 0.5421%
1962 47 9,407 0.5124%
1963 44 9,392 0.5232%
1964 46 9,472 0.5381%
1965 41 10,215 0.6247%
1966 40 9,776 0.6261%
1967 39 9,819 0.647%
1968 33 10,227 0.6811%
1969 28 10,952 0.7109%
1970 29 10,855 0.6821%
1971 23 12,194 0.8115%
1972 14 13,255 0.9732%
1973 10 14,870 1.147%
1974 10 15,166 1.1669%
1975 11 13,926 1.0837%
1976 12 14,491 1.1243%
1977 17 14,194 1.053%
1978 17 13,800 1.0264%
1979 17 14,547 1.0317%
1980 17 15,279 1.045%
1981 12 16,740 1.1388%
1982 15 15,728 1.0525%
1983 19 14,712 0.997%
1984 23 13,346 0.8972%
1985 25 12,702 0.8369%
1986 26 11,788 0.7809%
1987 25 11,631 0.7622%
1988 26 11,869 0.7616%
1989 24 12,433 0.7705%
1990 21 13,672 0.8249%
1991 21 13,298 0.8159%
1992 20 13,111 0.8214%
1993 22 12,318 0.7901%
1994 24 11,279 0.735%
1995 28 9,905 0.6572%
1996 24 10,624 0.7095%
1997 25 9,628 0.651%
1998 30 8,419 0.5625%
1999 38 7,428 0.496%
2000 39 7,063 0.4624%
2001 46 5,883 0.3904%
2002 54 5,212 0.3478%
2003 63 4,858 0.3193%
2004 69 4,456 0.2924%
2005 81 4,007 0.2621%
2006 96 3,560 0.2274%
2007 105 3,206 0.2032%
2008 119 2,901 0.1877%
2009 132 2,451 0.164%
2010 134 2,285 0.1586%
2011 148 2,097 0.1472%
2012 158 1,996 0.1401%
2013 175 1,784 0.1253%
2014 180 1,758 0.1207%
2015 186 1,687 0.1159%
2016 200 1,554 0.1078%
2017 210 1,399 0.1002%
2018 207 1,419 0.1033%
2019 258 1,216 0.0898%
2020 249 1,159 0.0911%
2021 324 899 0.0735%
2022 303 1,022 0.0775%

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Data via SSA.gov.


Names Like Rebecca

If you like Rebecca, you’ll love these other names like Rebecca.


What names are diminutives of Rebecca?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Rebecca sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Rebecca, but shorter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Becky

A diminutive of Rebecca, “the temptress with the tender trap.”

Hebrew

Reba

A diminutive form of Rebecca.

Hebrew


What names are variants of Rebecca?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Rebecca.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Becca

Short form of Rebecca

Hebrew

Beck

Stream

English

Becka

To bind

Hebrew

Beckah

To bind

Hebrew

Becke

To bind

Hebrew

Beckee

To bind

Hebrew

Becker

To bind

Hebrew

Beckey

To bind

Hebrew

Becki

To bind

Hebrew

Beckie

To bind

Hebrew

Becky

A diminutive of Rebecca, “the temptress with the tender trap.”

Hebrew

Beki

To bind

Hebrew

Bekka

To bind

Hebrew

Bekki

To bind

Hebrew

Bekkie

To bind

Hebrew

Reba

A diminutive form of Rebecca.

Hebrew

Rebakah

To bind

Hebrew

Rebba

To bind

Hebrew

Rebbeca

To bind

Hebrew

Rebbecca

To bind

Hebrew

Rebbecka

To bind

Hebrew

Rebbie

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeca

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeccah

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeccea

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeccka

To bind

Hebrew

Rebecha

To bind

Hebrew

Rebecka

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeckah

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeckia

To bind

Hebrew

Rebecky

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeha

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeka

To bind

Hebrew

Rebekah

To bind

Hebrew

Rebekha

To bind

Hebrew

Rebekka

To bind

Hebrew

Rebekkah

To bind

Hebrew

Rebekke

To bind

Hebrew

Rebeque

To bind

Hebrew

Ree

To bind

Hebrew

Reeba

To bind

Hebrew

Reveka

To bind

Hebrew

Revekah

To bind

Hebrew

Revekka

To bind

Hebrew

Rheba

To bind

Hebrew

Ribecca

To bind

Hebrew

Riva

Maiden

Hebrew

Rivah

To bind

Hebrew

Rivalee

To bind

Hebrew

Rivekka

To bind

Hebrew

Rivi

To bind

Hebrew

Rivka

To bind

Hebrew

Rivkah

To bind

Hebrew

Rivy

To bind

Hebrew


Lists With Rebecca

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Rebecca.


Siblings of Rebecca

Mamas with kids named Rebecca also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Michael

Who is Like God?

Hebrew

Megan

Pearl

Welsh

Katherine

Pure

Greek

Audrey

Noble strength

English

Samuel

Name of God

Hebrew

Neriah

Lamp of God

Hebrew

13 Comments

  1. My mother told me she had read the book and said if I have a daughter, I will call her Rebecca. My mother enjoyed the book and no doubt the name! What do I think? I am pleased about this. I may as well say I am over the moon! My friends call me Rebecca, my boss calls me becky, most probably as it is quicker to say and my brother calls me becks! Whatever they choose, it does not matter to me. As well as reading the book, have you seen the film enjoy watching this, highly recommended! Keep me posted! xx RG

  2. I don’t like the name for me.
    I have a friend w/same name but spelled different. (Rebekah) I like that.

  3. It is the best name because It is my name and I am the best.

  4. I chose the name Rebecca after my grandmother and Rebekah in the Bible. They are both strong women and I hope she grows to be strong like them.

    I like how romantic the name sounds however I am not a fan of most nicknames associated with it.

  5. I love Rebecca because it is nice name ever I wanted since I was child and it is good character in the bible

    • I also love the name rebecca because my dad gave it to me. I always give my dadd good gock gock. He likes it a lot and gives me yum yum juice. If you want to get some of that gock gock, please contact me at
      +1 (865) 469-5056

  6. Not many people I know have this name and so unique and beautiful. Plus my older daughter name is clarissa and so Rebecca and Clarissa sound cute when I call them . Also Clarissa has as and Rebecca has cc.

  7. My husband really liked this name. Our older daughter name is clarissa and has ss so Rebecca was cc so it sounds cute when we call Clarissa Rebecca. Also Rebecca has cute nick names like Becca, Becky.

  8. It was my mom’s name

    • It was my dad’s name too

  9. Hehehehe The Originals. Her name is Rebecca Hope ?

    • We always tease at Rebecca’s and say ca ca. Kind f seems silly to have 2 C’s. My oldest daughter is also Rebekah. It’s a family name that we love.

  10. It is a strong, bright, happy name. It suits our Rebecca Marie.


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