Reba Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Reba has Hebrew origins and means 'to bind or tie'. It evolved from the Hebrew name Rivka to the Latinized Rebecca and finally to its current form in English. The name is associated with positive traits and has biblical relevance through its connection to Rebecca. It gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly through notable figures in country music.
The name Reba is most popular in Arkansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Reba has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Reba' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4785th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5062nd out of 6773 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 253rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 265th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 466th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1203rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1467th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4264th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6095th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Reba' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Reba"
Pronunciation
/ˈriːbə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Reba is derived from the Hebrew name 'Rivka' (Rebecca), which means 'to bind' or 'to tie'. It may also be a diminutive form of the name Rebecca, commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Meaning
to bind, to tie
Language Evolution
Rivka (Hebrew), Rebecca (Latinized form), Reba (English diminutive)
Biblical Background
The name Reba does not appear in biblical texts, but it is related to the name Rebecca, who is a significant biblical figure as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau.
Historical Usage
Reba gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, often associated with country music singer Reba McEntire.
Variants & Derivatives
Rebecca, Becky, Reb
Modern Popularity & Image
Reba is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and charm, especially due to its connection with the famous singer and actress.
Famous People
Reba McEntire, Reba Rambo
Explore More Reba Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Reba"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Reba"
"Reba" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4785th of 7545 | 37 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5062nd of 6773 | 23 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 253rd of 9107 | 12,400 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 265th of 9204 | 10,571 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 466th of 12526 | 7,390 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1203rd of 19264 | 1,532 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1467th of 27321 | 1,592 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4264th of 35406 | 513 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6095th of 30306 | 242 |
Regional Popularity of "Reba" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Reba" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
21.68% 307th/1416 |
21.83% 301st/1379 |
7.14% 169th/2366 |
55.87% 638th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
26.91% 416th/1546 |
33.61% 523rd/1556 |
7.95% 187th/2353 |
44.67% 691st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
28.33% 631st/2227 |
42.10% 1023rd/2430 |
10.45% 298th/2853 |
29.98% 832nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
43.04% 1264th/2937 |
71.55% 2492nd/3483 |
23.37% 822nd/3518 |
53.07% 2146th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
42.28% 1558th/3685 |
47.02% 2104th/4475 |
21.12% 1097th/5194 |
46.02% 2907th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
94.98% 4352nd/4582 |
- |
61.59% 4504th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
100.00% 3984th/3984 |
- |
100.00% 6822nd/6822 |
- |
State-by-State Popularity of "Reba"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Reba" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.