Rebecca is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It means "to bind" or "to unite". The name is derived from the Hebrew word Rivka, which was the name of Abraham's wife in the Old Testament. She is known for her hospitality and generosity towards strangers.
The name Rebecca gained popularity during the Middle Ages through the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, who used it in his Canterbury Tales. It has since become a popular choice among English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and England.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Rebecca. These include Rebecca Rollin, an early settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century, and Rebecca Gratz, a prominent social reformer in 19th-century America. More recently, the name has been carried by celebrities such as Rebecca de Mornay, an American actress, and Rebecca Ferguson, a Swedish actress known for her role in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.
Overall, the name Rebecca carries a rich history and meaningful significance. Its Hebrew origin gives it a strong cultural heritage, while its widespread use throughout history has resulted in many notable bearers of the name.
The statistics provided show the number of girls named Rebecca born in the United States each year from 1909 to 2017.
From 1909 to 1948, the number of births ranged from a low of 5 to a high of 16. There was some fluctuation during this period, with several years showing no more than 7 births. However, beginning in 1949, we see a significant increase in the popularity of the name Rebecca.
In 1949, there were 18 births, and this number increased to 23 in 1952. The highest point in the popularity of the name Rebecca occurred between 1966 and 1970, with a peak of 70 births in 1975.
From 1976 onwards, the popularity of the name began to decline, reaching its lowest point since the late 1940s with only 5 births in 2007. However, there was some resurgence in recent years, with 22 births in 2004 and 8 births in both 2008 and 2017.
Overall, over the course of these 109 years, a total of 2,115 girls named Rebecca were born in the United States. This demonstrates that while the name Rebecca has had periods of popularity and decline, it has remained a reasonably common choice for parents throughout much of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century.