US Popularity Rank: 3223

Origin: French

Meaning: Ewe; Rock

Rochel is a girl’s name of Hebrew origin. It derives from the Hebrew name Rachel, meaning “ewe.” A beautiful yet tragic figure, Rachel plays a prominent role in the Hebrew Bible as one of Jacob’s two wives, along with her sister, Leah. Rachel has long been a popular name in the US, reaching its peak in 1996 when it took ninth place in the baby name charts. However, Rochel (also spelled Rochelle) offers an equally pretty alternative to this much-loved name, possibly influenced by the French surname Roche, meaning “rock.” A famous bearer is British pop star Rochelle Humes, formerly a member of girl band The Saturdays.