Hilary vs Rachel

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Hilary

Girl #4,118 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"cheerful, merry, joyful"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,118
Total SSA Count
35
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hil, Hill

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Hilary →

Rachel

Girl #246 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"ewe, female sheep"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Jewish American Christian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#246
Total SSA Count
1,285
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Rach, Rae

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rachel →

Popularity Comparison

Hilary Rank #4,118
Rachel Rank #246

Rachel is more popular, ranked #246 vs #4118 for Hilary.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Hilary ___

  • Hilary Anne
  • Hilary Jane
  • Hilary Clare
  • Hilary Rose
  • Hilary Grace
  • Hilary Marie

Rachel ___

  • Rachel Grace
  • Rachel Marie
  • Rachel Ann
  • Rachel Elizabeth
  • Rachel Jean
  • Rachel Nicole

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Hilary

Mallory Avery Ellery Bradley Courtney

If you choose Rachel

Hannah Rebecca Leah Sarah Jacob

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hilary or Rachel more popular?

Rachel is more popular, ranked #246 compared to Hilary at #4118 in the United States.

What do Hilary and Rachel mean?

Hilary means "cheerful, merry, joyful" (Latin origin). Rachel means "ewe, female sheep" (Hebrew origin).

Are Hilary and Rachel boy or girl names?

Hilary is primarily a girl name. Rachel is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Hilary ← Full profile: Rachel Browse all baby names