Girl · 151st of 27,321
Rebekah
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
75,601
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1996
Peak Popularity Year
2,222
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Rebekah stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Rebekah is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'to bind or to tie'. The name evolved from Rivkah in Hebrew to Rebeccah in Latin, and eventually to Rebekah in English. It is associated with biblical relevance through its connection to a key figure in the Old Testament. Rebekah is viewed as a traditional name with strong traits, and it has maintained its popularity over the centuries.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/rɪˈbɛkə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Rebekah comes from the Hebrew name רִבְקָה (Rivkah), which is believed to derive from the root meaning 'to tie' or 'to bind'.
Meaning
to bind, to tie
Language Evolution
Rivkah (Hebrew), Rebeccah (Latinized form), Rebekah (English)
Biblical Background
Rebekah is a significant figure in the Bible, known as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau.
Historical Usage
Rebekah gained popularity in the English-speaking world following the Protestant Reformation and has remained a classic name throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Rebecca, Becky, Reba
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Rebekah is perceived as a timeless name that carries a sense of tradition and strength.
Famous People
Rebekah Brooks - British journalist and former CEO of News International, Rebekah Harkness - American socialite and philanthropist
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
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,222 peak births in 1996
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 19 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 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6498th of 10718 | 34 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6911th of 16616 | 80 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1802nd of 9107 | 378 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1429th of 9204 | 531 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 766th of 12526 | 3,160 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 316th of 19264 | 12,782 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 151st of 27321 | 31,362 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 233rd of 35406 | 21,930 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 666th of 30306 | 5,266 |