Girl · 253rd of 9,107
Reba
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
35,481
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1925
Peak Popularity Year
792
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Reba stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 792 peak births in 1925
Geographic Spread
Popular across 34 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |