The name was rare before the 16th century, and came into use in England, France, and the Netherlands with the Reformation, when it was popular among Protestants. For more information, see Withycombe s.n. Rachel.

England

Latin

● 1561 Rachaell (nom) RegSoABap p. 3

Dutch

● 1573 Rachel AuFr Geeraerts; 1575 Rachel ibid. Courselis; 1582 Rachel ibid. Clerckx; 1597 Rachel ibid. Fautil

Early Modern English

● 1558–9 Rachell StMary-Ke p. 2; 1569 Rachell CAmar-vol1 p. 2; 1588 Rachell OrpingtonKe p. 8

Walloon

● 1581 Rachel RWC p. 3; 1581/2 Rachel ibid. p. 563; 1582 Rachel ibid. p. 4; 1582/3 Rachel ibid. p. 5; 1583 Rachel ibid. p. 6; 1583/4 Rachel ibid. p. 8; 1590/1 Rachel ibid. p. 15; 1590 Rachelle ibid. p. 14; 1592 Rachel ibid. p. 22; 1593 Rachel ibid. p. 564; 1594 Rachel ibid. p. 32

France

Middle French

● 1562 Rachel RegPCC-1 p. 15; 1563 Rachel ibid. p. 18; 1564 Rachel ibid. p. 49; 1565 Rachel ibid. p. 123; 1566 Rachel ibid. p. 198; 1567 Rachel ibid. p. 289; 1568 Rachel ibid. p. 363; 1570 Rachel ibid. p. 426; 1572 Rachel ibid. p. 515