Richelle
A girl's name with 8,447 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Richelle peaked during the Gen X years, when 281 babies received this name in a single year (1969). That era was defined by post-traditional, counterculture-influenced naming, and Richelle remains in active use today — a name that has outlasted its original moment.
In the most recent SSA release, Richelle ranks #13138 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Richelle is a girl's baby name of Old French origin, a feminine form of Richard, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'power' and 'brave.' It carries the strength of a classic name in an elegant, softer form.
Richelle had its moment in the 1980s and 1990s, associated with a confident, put-together energy — and its rarity today makes it feel fresh again for a new generation.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Richelle belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their melodic, romantic ending — a pattern shared with Italian and French feminine names. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Sound-alike names often cluster in style even when they come from different linguistic roots. The Similar Names section below uses letter and phonetic patterns to surface names in Richelle’s sonic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Richelle was #2641 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #13138, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 64 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 289 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 625 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,444 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 1,941 | — |
| 1970s | 2,096 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 1,518 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 409 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 61 | — |
The Story of Richelle
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1969, Richelle is a Gen X staple. Girls named Richelle are most likely born between 1959 and 1979.
How rare is Richelle?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Richelle — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1942, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 2,096 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Richelle by the numbers
- Would fill 176 school buses
- Meeting one Richelle per day would take 23.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(81 years, 1942–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #13138 |
| 2023 | 10 | #10162 |
| 2022 | 15 | #7565 |
| 2021 | 18 | #6627 |
| 2020 | 14 | #7879 |
| 2019 | 12 | #9002 |
| 2018 | 20 | #6189 |
| 2017 | 25 | #5302 |
| 2016 | 21 | #6150 |
| 2015 | 25 | #5423 |
| 2014 | 22 | #5954 |
| 2013 | 34 | #4320 |
| 2012 | 43 | #3696 |
| 2011 | 34 | #4339 |
| 2010 | 53 | #3152 |
| 2009 | 68 | #2699 |
| 2008 | 59 | #2987 |
| 2007 | 59 | #3021 |
| 2006 | 57 | #3014 |
| 2005 | 50 | #3163 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richelle a boy's or girl's name?
When was Richelle most popular?
How popular is the name Richelle?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1942–2024