Meaning
The meaning of Rebekah
Rebekah is an ancient Hebrew name whose exact root is discussed in different ways. It is often connected with ideas of tying, binding, or captivating, but its biblical importance comes chiefly from the matriarchal story in Genesis.
Name story
A matriarch from Genesis
Rebekah enters the Genesis story when Abraham's servant seeks a wife for Isaac. Her hospitality and decisive response move the covenant family story forward.
The name carries the feel of an old biblical household name: serious, feminine, and deeply rooted in the patriarchal narratives.
Biblical arc
Promise, family, and complexity
Rebekah's story includes kindness, marriage, motherhood, favoritism, and the complicated birthright story of Jacob and Esau.
For Christian readers, Rebekah is not a flat idealized figure. Her name belongs to a real family story where God's purposes unfold through imperfect people.
Sound
How to pronounce Rebekah
- Phonetic
- rih-BEK-uh
- IPA
- /ɹəˈbɛkə/
3 syllables · stress: rih-BEK-uh · ends in a vowel
Forms
Variants and nicknames
Alternate spellings
- Rebecca
- Rebeccah
- Rebekka
- Rivka
- Ribka
- Réka
Short forms and nicknames
- Becca
- Becky
- Beck
- Riva
Languages
Rebekah in other languages
- Hebrew
- רִבְקָהRivka
- Greek
- ῬεβέκκαRebekka
- Latin
- Rebecca
- Spanish
- Rebeca
- French
- Rébecca
- German
- Rebekka
- Italian
- Rebecca
- Russian
- РевеккаRevekka
- Arabic
- رِفْقَةRifqa
Christian background
Christian and biblical background
Rebekah has long been used by Christian families because of her role in Genesis. She is part of the covenant line that runs through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the people of Israel.
Scripture
The biblical figure
Rebekah is Isaac's wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau. Her story is told mainly in Genesis 24-27.
Bearers
Notable people named Rebekah
biblical
RebekahMatriarch in Genesis, wife of Isaac, mother of Esau and Jacobhistorical
Rebecca Harding DavisAmerican author of Life in the Iron Mills, an early work of American realism, 1831 to 1910historical
Rebecca WestAnglo-Irish journalist and novelist, author of Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, 1892 to 1983modern
Rebecca HallEnglish actress and director known for Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Passing, born 1982
Naming history
Naming tradition and history
Rebecca is the more common modern English spelling, while Rebekah keeps a more visibly biblical form. Both have long histories in Christian naming.
Recent US use
Rebekah in recent US use
- Rank in 2025
- #884
- Peak rank
- #143 in 1982
- Recent trend
- declining over the last 5 years
- Years in the SSA records
- 132 (since 1883)
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.
Sibling fit
Sibling name suggestions
Pairings
Names paired with Rebekah
For families
For families looking at Rebekah
Rebekah may suit parents who want a familiar but distinctly biblical girl name. It offers many nickname options while keeping a strong scriptural identity.
Common questions
What does Rebekah mean?
Rebekah is often connected with ideas such as tie or binding, though the ancient root is discussed in different ways.
Is Rebekah a biblical name?
Yes. Rebekah is Isaac's wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau in Genesis.
Is Rebekah the same as Rebecca?
Yes. Rebekah and Rebecca are spelling forms of the same biblical name.
Sources
Sources for Rebekah
- A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; meaning discussed as tie or binding.
- The Book of Genesis, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure, Isaac's wife and mother of Jacob and Esau; Genesis matriarch.
Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.
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