Raquel is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It comes from the Hebrew word "rakhel," which means "ewe" or "female sheep." The name Raquel is also associated with Rachel, the wife of Jacob and one of the founding matriarchs in the Hebrew Bible.
The name gained popularity in Spain during the Middle Ages due to the influence of Jewish culture. It was later popularized by Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote," which featured a character named Roque, who was often called Raquel as an affectionate nickname.
Today, Raquel is widely recognized and used throughout the world, particularly among Spanish-speaking communities. While it is traditionally associated with Hebrew culture, people of various backgrounds have adopted this beautiful name for their daughters. The name has a strong and elegant sound, making it appealing to parents looking for a distinctive yet timeless name choice.
In terms of its popularity over time, Raquel has seen fluctuations in usage rates. In the United States, for example, it was most popular during the mid-20th century but has since declined somewhat. However, it remains an enduring favorite among many families and continues to be bestowed upon new generations of young girls.
Overall, Raquel is a name with deep historical roots and cultural significance, boasting both elegance and uniqueness. Its Hebrew origin and connection to the biblical figure Rachel add depth and meaning to this charming moniker.
The statistics provided show the number of births for the name Raquel in the United States from 1900 to 2023. Over this period, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of the name.
In the early years, the number of babies named Raquel was relatively low, with fewer than 10 births per year between 1900 and 1926. However, starting from 1927, we see a steady increase in the number of births with this name, reaching 68 births that year.
The popularity of Raquel continued to rise throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with peaks of 136 births in 1952 and 171 births in 1956. This upward trend continued into the late 1950s and early 1960s, with the number of Raquel births reaching an all-time high of 484 in 1967.
However, after this peak, we start to see a decline in the popularity of the name. Between 1968 and 2000, there were fewer than 1,000 births per year with the name Raquel. Despite some fluctuations, the overall trend is downward.
From 2000 onwards, the number of babies named Raquel continues to decline. We see a significant drop in popularity after the year 2015, with fewer than 400 births per year since then. The most recent data from 2023 shows that there were 294 births for the name Raquel in the United States.
In total, over this 123-year period, there have been 50,248 babies named Raquel born in the United States. This demonstrates how trends in naming change over time and how a once-popular name can fall out of favor as new preferences emerge.