Mary vs Rachel

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Mary

Girl #132 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"sea of bitterness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Irish Christian Hebrew

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#132
Total SSA Count
2,196
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Molly, Polly, May

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mary →

Popularity Comparison

Mary Rank #132
Rachel Rank #246

Mary is more popular, ranked #132 vs #246 for Rachel.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Mary ___

  • Mary Grace
  • Mary Elizabeth
  • Mary Jane
  • Mary Ann
  • Mary Rose
  • Mary Claire

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 Mary

Anne Elizabeth John James Margaret

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 Mary or Rachel more popular?

Mary is more popular, ranked #132 compared to Rachel at #246 in the United States.

What do Mary and Rachel mean?

Mary means "sea of bitterness" (Hebrew origin). Rachel means "ewe, female sheep" (Hebrew origin).

Are Mary and Rachel boy or girl names?

Mary is primarily a girl name. Rachel is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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