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Rochelle Girl

Popularity: #913 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationroh-SHELL / /roʊˈʃɛl/

French; Hebrew

Meaning

French: little rock; Hebrew: a name of God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rochelle has its roots in the French language, derived from the Old French word "rochelle," which means "little rock" or "small rock." This term itself is believed to have originated from the Latin word "roccella," which also conveys a similar meaning. The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many French names and terms were adopted into English vernacular, particularly in regions influenced by Norman culture.

Historically, the name Rochelle is associated with the city of La Rochelle in France, which played a significant role during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The city was a stronghold for Huguenots and was the site of the Siege of La Rochelle in 1627-1628, a pivotal event in the French Wars of Religion. The name's connection to this city imbues it with a sense of historical weight, reflecting themes of resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity.

Culturally, Rochelle has been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing strength and stability, akin to its etymological meaning of "rock." The name has also been used in various forms of media, contributing to its resonance in different cultural narratives. A diminutive form, "Rochelle," can be affectionately shortened to "Rocca," which carries similar connotations of strength. Overall, the name Rochelle encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and historical significance, representing both a geographical landmark and a symbol of enduring strength.

Trend Summary

Rochelle has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Rochel
  • Rochelle

International Variants

  • Rochelle (French)
  • Rochel (Hebrew)

Famous people named Rochelle

Rochelle Humes is a singer and television presenter best known for being a member of The Saturdays, and for her work on This Morning.

Fictional characters named Rochelle

Rochelle is a fictional character from the video game series Left 4 Dead. She is a survivor who fights against hordes of zombies alongside her companions.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rochelle was first seen in the United States in 1900. Rochelle has ranked as high as #419 nationally, which occurred in 1969, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Rochelle has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Rochelle (2024)

StateBirthsShare
NY 8
57%
CA 6
43%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19006
19015
19025
19036
19045
19055
19075
19085
19098
191012
191114
191212
191316
191420
191533
191641
191735
191849
191946
192041
192157
192239
192344
192436
192549
192629
192737
192842
192946
193031
193133
193248
193370
1934103
1935233
1936440
1937451
1938478
1939420
1940460
1941456
1942487
1943465
1944383
1945364
1946455
1947486
1948475
1949494
1950524
1951537
1952544
1953574
1954625
1955728
1956785
1957787
1958862
1959919
1960911
19611,036
1962990
1963871
1964948
1965900
1966901
19671,009
19681,049
19691,270
19701,179
19711,155
19721,049
19731,007
1974899
1975829
1976739
1977711
1978722
1979792
1980754
1981813
1982810
1983684
1984692
1985673
1986695
1987740
1988728
1989707
1990696
1991625
1992567
1993514
1994447
1995356
1996319
1997265
1998242
1999218
2000197
2001159
2002169
2003135
2004144
2005134
200694
200774
2008101
200986
201069
201158
201258
201356
201463
201560
201647
201738
201841
201931
202035
202145
202231
202327
202437