Rachel

American  

[rey-chuhl] / ˈreɪ tʃəl /

noun

1. Jacob's favored wife, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Genesis 29–35.

2. a female given name.

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Rachel British  

noun

1. Old Testament the second and best-loved wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis 29–35)

2. original name Elisa Félix . 1820–58, French tragic actress, famous for her roles in the plays of Racine and Corneille

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Rachel Cultural  

1. The second wife of Jacob (see Jacob and Esau). She was sterile for many years, but eventually had two sons: Joseph (see Joseph and his brothers) and Benjamin.

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Etymology

Origin of Rachel

From Late Latin, from Greek Rhachḗl, from Hebrew rāḥēl “ewe, female lamb”

Example Sentences

For weeks Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have been publicly calling for a much closer economic relationship with the EU in the next phase of post-Brexit talks.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Rachel Reeves announced a cut in VAT at some attractions, also including zoos and museums, over the summer, and a free bus scheme for under-16s in England in August.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Militaries at war can lawfully kill combatants, including members of nonstate groups such as Hamas, even under a cease-fire, said Rachel VanLandingham, a national-security-law expert and former judge advocate in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Parent Rachel Zernik wants the screen ban to extend beyond first grade, perhaps up to fifth grade.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

“I wish I hadn’t told Rachel about ‘Bye Forever, I Guess.’”

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows