Rebecca Macfarlane

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Rebecca Macfarlane — to bind, to tie
667K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Rebecca Macfarlane is a name that combines Latin origins. The first name Rebecca is a feminine given name of Latin origin. Rebecca or Rebekah (Hebrew: רִבְקָה Rīvqa) is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is the name of the biblical figure Rebecca, wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. The name comes from the Semitic root ר-ב-ק (r-b-q), meaning "to tie firmly"; Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names and the NOBS Study Bible Name List suggest the name means captivating beauty, or "to tie", "to bind". W. F. Albright held that it meant "soil, earth". The Latin Vulgate uses the spelling Rebecca exclusively and it is followed by (ex. gr.) Wycliffe and the Bishops' Bible. The surname Macfarlane: MacFarlane or Macfarlane is a surname derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Phàrlain (son of Parlan), shared by: Alan Macfarlane (born 1941), professor of anthropological science at Cambridge University Alan Brock MacFarlane (1924–2018), lawyer, judge and political figure in British Columbia Sir Alistair MacFarlane (1931–2021), British electrical engineer Allison Macfarlane, chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Amy MacFarlane (born 1974), former field hockey forward Andrew Macfarlane (died 1819), Anglican clergyman who served as a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Rebecca is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 667K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Rebecca reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Rebecca

Meaning: to bind, to tie

Latin

Rebecca or Rebekah (Hebrew: רִבְקָה Rīvqa) is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is the name of the biblical figure Rebecca, wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. The name comes from the Semitic root ר-ב-ק (r-b-q), meaning "to tie firmly"; Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names and the NOBS Study Bible Name List suggest the name means captivating beauty, or "to tie", "to bind". W. F. Albright held that it meant "soil, earth". The Latin Vulgate uses the spelling Rebecca exclusively and it is followed by (ex. gr.) Wycliffe and the Bishops' Bible.

Surname: Macfarlane

Celtic

MacFarlane or Macfarlane is a surname derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Phàrlain (son of Parlan), shared by: Alan Macfarlane (born 1941), professor of anthropological science at Cambridge University Alan Brock MacFarlane (1924–2018), lawyer, judge and political figure in British Columbia Sir Alistair MacFarlane (1931–2021), British electrical engineer Allison Macfarlane, chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Amy MacFarlane (born 1974), former field hockey forward Andrew Macfarlane (died 1819), Anglican clergyman who served as a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Rebecca is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Rebecca by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Rebecca Macfarlane

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Rebecca Macfarlane:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

1
Soul Urge Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

11
Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Rebecca?
The first name Rebecca originates from Latin. Rebecca or Rebekah (Hebrew: רִבְקָה Rīvqa) is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is the name of the biblical figure Rebecca, wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. The name comes from the Semitic root ר-ב-ק (r-b-q), meaning "to tie firmly"; Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names and the NOBS Study Bible Name List suggest the name means captivating beauty, or "to tie", "to bind". W. F. Albright held that it meant "soil, earth". The Latin Vulgate uses the spelling Rebecca exclusively and it is followed by (ex. gr.) Wycliffe and the Bishops' Bible.
When was Rebecca most popular?
The name Rebecca reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Macfarlane?
The surname Macfarlane originates from Celtic. MacFarlane or Macfarlane is a surname derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Phàrlain (son of Parlan), shared by: Alan Macfarlane (born 1941), professor of anthropological science at Cambridge University Alan Brock MacFarlane (1924–2018), lawyer, judge and political figure in British Columbia Sir Alistair MacFarlane (1931–2021), British electrical engineer Allison Macfarlane, chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Amy MacFarlane (born 1974), former field hockey forward Andrew Macfarlane (died 1819), Anglican clergyman who served as a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church.
What are the origins of the name Rebecca Macfarlane?
The name Rebecca Macfarlane combines two different traditions: the first name Rebecca has Latin roots, while the surname Macfarlane originates from Celtic.
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