"one who resists authority, defiant"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Rebel
Pronunciation: [ r-EHB-uhl ]
Does Rebel flow with your last name?
A bold word name for the fearlessly independent
English
American
Australian
Bold
Unique
Modern
Playful
Strong
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- May carry connotations of delinquency or troublemaking in professional settings
The Story of Rebel
Rebel comes from the Latin "rebellare" meaning "to make war again" (re- + bellum, war). As a given name, it emerged in the United States as part of a trend of word names with strong, defiant meanings. Australian actress Rebel Wilson popularized it as a celebrity name in the 2010s.
Rebel as a given name gained significant attention after Australian actress Rebel Wilson became internationally famous through the Pitch Perfect film series starting in 2012. It fits into a broader trend of bold, word names for girls.
In American culture, the word rebel has a complex history — tied to both the Confederacy (a negative association) and to countercultural figures like James Dean (positive). The name rides on the latter, more positive cultural meaning.
Historical Record
Rebel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 1,416 babies have been named Rebel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rebel is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,659 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rebel Wilson was born with the given name Rebel — it is her actual first name, not a nickname
- The Riot Grrrl anthem "Rebel Girl" by Bikini Kill (1993) gave this word a feminist cultural moment
Rebel in Other Languages
French
Rebelle
Italian
Ribelle
Spanish
Rebelde
Popularity Over Time
#2,659
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rebel
R
Rebel Wilson
Actor
1980
Australian actress and comedian known for the Pitch Perfect series and Bridesmaids
R
Rebel Girl Fictional
Other
The iconic protagonist of Kathleen Hanna's 1993 Bikini Kill anthem celebrating defiant femininity
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,659
- Total SSA Count
- 65
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Reb
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rebel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Rebel is also used as a boy name, ranked #3216.
View Rebel as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rebel
What does the name Rebel mean?
"one who resists authority, defiant" (from Latin). Rebel comes from the Latin "rebellare" meaning "to make war again" (re- + bellum, war). As a given name, it emerged in the United States as part of a trend of word names with strong, defiant meanings. Australian actress Rebel Wilson popularized it as a celebrity name in the 2010s.
What is the origin of the name Rebel?
Rebel has Latin, English, American, and Australian origins. In Latin, it means "one who resists authority, defiant".
Is Rebel a boy or girl name?
Rebel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2659. As a boy name, it is ranked #3216. Rebel is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Rebel?
Rebel is pronounced r-EHB-uhl.
How popular is the name Rebel?
Rebel is currently ranked #2659 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Rebel?
Common nicknames for Rebel include Reb.
What are good middle names for Rebel?
Popular middle name pairings include Rebel Rose, Rebel Mae, Rebel Skye, Rebel June, Rebel Grace, Rebel Storm, and Rebel Leigh.
What are good sibling names for Rebel?
Names that pair well with Rebel as siblings include Riot, Phoenix, Blythe, Fox, Rogue, Scout, and Wilder.
How many syllables does Rebel have?
Rebel has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rebel a common or rare name?
Rebel is an uncommon name, ranked #2659 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Rebel?
About the Name Rebel
Rebel is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "one who resists authority, defiant" in Latin .
Is Rebel a boy or girl name? Rebel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,659 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,216. Rebel is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rebel is currently ranked #2,659 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rebel has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-EHB-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Rebel include Reb. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Rebel include Rebecca, Rebekah, Rebeca . 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