Meaning & History
Becki is a feminine given name and a pet form (or diminutive) of Rebecca. The name Rebecca ultimately derives from the Hebrew name רִבְקָה (Rivqa), which likely comes from a Semitic root meaning "join, tie, snare." In the Old Testament, Rebecca is the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 24:15–67). The name Rebecca entered English usage as a Christian name after the Protestant Reformation, gaining popularity among Puritans in the 17th century and becoming especially common in the second half of the 20th century.
Becki is one of several English diminutives of Rebecca, along with Becca, Becci, Becka, Beckah, Becky, and Bekki. While Becky is the most widespread spelling, Becki offers a slight variation in form. Notable bearers include American actress Becki Newton (born 1978), known for her roles in the television series Ugly Betty and How I Met Your Mother, and English singer Becki Pipette (born 1979), formerly of the indie band The Pipettes.
In terms of international cognates, the name Rebecca appears in many languages with similar forms: Rebecca (Swedish), Rebekah (Biblical), Rhebekka (Biblical Greek), Rivqa (Biblical Hebrew), Rebeka (Slovene), and Rebekka (Norwegian). The name Becki, however, is primarily used in English-speaking contexts.
- Name Origin: Diminutive of Rebecca (Hebrew root meaning "to tie")
- Primary Type: Given name (feminine)
- Usage Regions: English