| Rachel | Anna | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Ewe | grace, favour |
| Origin | Hebrew | hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | RAY-chul | AN-uh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1985 (16,360) | 1918 (15,666) |
| In 2025 | 1,225 | 2,521 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Rachel | Anna |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 7,580 | 17,726 |
| 2010s | 21,076 | 51,326 |
| 2000s | 68,401 | 90,325 |
| 1990s | 149,167 | 78,595 |
| 1980s | 146,675 | 57,327 |
| 1970s | 77,749 | 37,813 |
| 1960s | 26,795 | 40,935 |
| 1950s | 16,775 | 41,701 |
| 1940s | 13,409 | 41,282 |
| 1930s | 12,268 | 66,598 |
| 1920s | 14,199 | 123,895 |
| 1910s | 10,482 | 118,998 |
| 1900s | 3,974 | 54,918 |
| 1890s | 3,279 | 55,261 |
| 1880s | 2,128 | 38,159 |
Rachel is Hebrew for “ewe,” a female sheep taken as a symbol of gentleness. In the Bible she is the beloved wife of Jacob and a matriarch of Israel.
The Greek and Latin form of Hebrew 'Channah' (Hannah), meaning grace or favour. Reached most European languages via the Greek New Testament (the prophetess Anna).
Anna is more popular than Rachel today: about 2,521 US babies were given the name Anna in 2025, compared with 1,225 named Rachel.
Rachel means Ewe (Hebrew origin), while Anna means grace, favour (hebrew origin).
In US records, Rachel first appears in 1880 and Anna in 1880, so Rachel has the longer recorded history.