"to bind, ensnare"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Rebecca
Pronunciation: [ r-uhb-EHK-uh ]
Does Rebecca flow with your last name?
A biblical matriarch with timeless literary grace
English
Hebrew
Jewish
Christian
European
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Literary
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Rebecca
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"knotted cord"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Rebecca
Rebecca derives from the Hebrew name Rivkah (רִבְקָה), whose exact meaning is debated but likely comes from a root meaning 'to bind' or 'to snare,' with some scholars suggesting 'captivating' or 'knotted cord.' In the Book of Genesis, Rebekah was the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob, one of the four matriarchs of the Jewish people. Her story — chosen for Isaac through divine guidance — is one of the most detailed portraits of a woman in the Hebrew Bible.
Rebecca was a fixture in the US top 10 from the 1940s through the 1970s, driven by its biblical authority and the appeal of its crisp sound. Daphne du Maurier's gothic novel Rebecca (1938) also kept the name culturally alive. Its popularity has gradually declined since the 1980s as it became perceived as generational.
As one of the four matriarchs of Judaism, Rebekah holds immense significance in Jewish tradition. In Christian tradition, she appears in the New Testament as an example of God's grace (Romans 9:10). The name's long run in English literature — from the Bible through du Maurier's Rebecca and beyond — gives it deep cultural roots.
Historical Record
Rebecca first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 664,839 babies have been named Rebecca in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rebecca is past its peak , currently ranked #342 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel Rebecca begins with one of the most famous opening lines in English literature: 'Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again'
- Rebekah is the biblical spelling; Rebecca is the English transliteration via Greek
- Rebecca was a top-10 US girls' name every year from 1964 to 1971
Rebecca in Other Languages
Arabic
ريبيكا
French
Rebecca
German
Rebekka
Hebrew
רִבְקָה
Italian
Rebecca
Spanish
Rebeca
Popularity Over Time
#342
Current Rank
Peaked 1973
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rebecca
R
Rebecca Black
Musician
1997
American singer who became a viral internet sensation with the song 'Friday' in 2011
R
Rebecca Ferguson
Actor
1983
Swedish actress known for Mission: Impossible, Doctor Sleep, and Dune
R
Rebecca (du Maurier) Fictional
Other
The mysterious, beautiful first wife of Maxim de Winter in Daphne du Maurier's 1938 gothic novel Rebecca
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Compare Rebecca with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #342
- Total SSA Count
- 910
- Cultural Origins
- English Hebrew Jewish Christian European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Becca
Becky
Beck
Reba
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rebecca
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Rebecca is also used as a boy name, ranked #14236.
View Rebecca as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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"crown, garland"
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"divine, heavenly"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rebecca
What does the name Rebecca mean?
"to bind, ensnare" (from Hebrew). "knotted cord" (from Hebrew). Rebecca derives from the Hebrew name Rivkah (רִבְקָה), whose exact meaning is debated but likely comes from a root meaning 'to bind' or 'to snare,' with some scholars suggesting 'captivating' or 'knotted cord.' In the Book of Genesis, Rebekah was the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob, one of the four matriarchs of the Jewish people. Her story — chosen for Isaac through divine guidance — is one of the most detailed portraits of a woman in the Hebrew Bible.
What is the origin of the name Rebecca?
Rebecca has Hebrew, English, Jewish, Christian, and European origins. In Hebrew, it means "to bind, ensnare". In Hebrew, it means "knotted cord".
Is Rebecca a boy or girl name?
Rebecca is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #342. As a boy name, it is ranked #14236. Rebecca is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Rebecca?
Rebecca is pronounced r-uhb-EHK-uh.
How popular is the name Rebecca?
Rebecca is currently ranked #342 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Rebecca?
Common nicknames for Rebecca include Becca, Becky, Beck, and Reba.
What are good middle names for Rebecca?
Popular middle name pairings include Rebecca Anne, Rebecca Jane, Rebecca Lynn, Rebecca Claire, Rebecca Rose, and Rebecca Jean.
What are good sibling names for Rebecca?
Names that pair well with Rebecca as siblings include Rachel, Hannah, Naomi, Jonathan, Samuel, and Miriam.
How many syllables does Rebecca have?
Rebecca has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Rebecca a common or rare name?
Rebecca is a popular name, ranked #342 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Rebecca?
About the Name Rebecca
Rebecca is a girl name with English, Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, and European origins . The name means "to bind, ensnare" in Hebrew .
Is Rebecca a boy or girl name? Rebecca is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #342 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,236. Rebecca is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rebecca is currently ranked #342 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rebecca has 3 syllables and is pronounced r-uhb-EHK-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Rebecca include Becca, Becky, Beck, and Reba. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Rebecca include Rebekah, Rebeca, Rebel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis