Meaning & History
Rahela is the Romanian, Croatian, and Serbian form of the name Rachel, derived from the Hebrew רָחֵל (Raḥel), meaning "ewe". This name is traditionally used among Christian communities in Southeastern Europe, adapting the biblical name to local phonetic and morphological patterns.
Biblical Origin
In the Old Testament, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, and the sister of Leah. Her story, found in Genesis 29–35, involves Jacob's seven years of labor to marry her, her initial infertility, and her eventual conception. Rachel's tomb near Bethlehem remains a significant site in Jewish tradition.
Cultural Usage
Rahela is a common feminine given name in countries where Romanian, Croatian, and Serbian are spoken. It is often associated with Eastern Orthodox Christianity, though it also appears in Catholic communities. Variants across other languages include Rahil (Arabic), Rəhilə (Azerbaijani), Rahel (German), and Rakel (Swedish). The Greek form Rhachel appears in the Old Testament Septuagint translation.
- Meaning: "ewe"
- Origin: Hebrew, via Latin Vulgate
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage: Romanian, Croatian, Serbian