Meaning & History
Rachele is the Italian form of the Hebrew name Rachel, derived from the Hebrew word רָחֵל (Raḥel) meaning "ewe". In the Old Testament, Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
The name Rachele is pronounced /raˈkɛ.le/ in Italian, with an open e sound. It has been used in Italy as a given name since the Middle Ages, reflecting the enduring popularity of biblical names in Christian traditions. While Rachel is more common in English-speaking countries, Rachele remains a classic choice in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities.
Related forms include Rahel (German), Rahela (Serbian), and Rahil (Arabic). Notably, the Azerbaijani form Rəhilə also belongs to this family. The Greek biblical form Rhachel appears in early translations of the Septuagint.
- Meaning: Ewe
- Origin: Hebrew, via Italian
- Type: Biblical, feminine
- Usage locales: Italy, Italian-speaking regions