Rebecca
/ɹə.ˈbɛk.ə/
Rebecca comes from the Hebrew Rivqah, probably derived from a Semitic root meaning “to join, tie, snare.” In the Old Testament, Rebecca (Rebekah) is the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau - one of the great matriarchs of biblical tradition.
The name came into wide English use after the Protestant Reformation and was especially popular among Puritans. In the US, it reached extraordinary heights in the 1970s, peaking at No. 10 in 1973 - a true top-10 name of its era.
The descent has been steep. From that 1973 summit, Rebecca fell to No. 342 in 2024 with 910 births. The 2020s accelerated the decline, with the name dropping from the top 250 in just 4 years.
What the name Rebecca means
Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca (1938) and its Alfred Hitchcock film adaptation gave the name a gothic, romantic aura. The biblical figure herself is portrayed as beautiful, resourceful, and decisive - strong associations for any name.
At 3 syllables, Rebecca has a balanced, classic rhythm. The nickname Becca or Becky provides informal options, while the full form carries considerable weight.
Rebecca is now in the territory where great classic names go before their revival.
For parents seeking a biblical name with millennia of history, genuine literary cachet, and a sound that never truly dates, Rebecca may be one of the smartest choices available at its current price point.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Rebecca
Rebecca - similar names
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