EtymologyRebekah is a spelling variant of Rebecca, used in some versions of the Bible, most notably in the Old Testament of the King James Version (1611). The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Rivqa (רִבְקָה), which is thought to come from a Semitic root meaning "join, tie, snare." The etymology reflects a meaning often interpreted as "enchantingly beautiful" or "captivating."Biblical and Historical ContextIn the Old Testament, Rebekah is the daughter of Bethuel, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac, and mother of Esau and Jacob. According to Genesis 24, she was chosen as Isaac's wife for her kindness. Her story includes helping Jacob receive Isaac's blessing in place of Esau (Genesis 27). The spelling Rebekah appears in the King James Version (Genesis 22–35), distinguishing it from the Latin-derived spelling Rebecca used in the New Testament and later translations.The name entered wider use as an English Christian name after the Protestant Reformation, and was especially popular among the Puritans in the 17th century. It has been consistently used since, becoming especially common in the second half of the 20th century.Literary and Cultural ReferencesWalter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819) features a Jewish woman named Rebecca, while Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca (1938) has a deceased title character (the spelling Rebekah is less common). Both works contributed to the name's lasting familiarity as a classic literary name.Variants and UsageInternational variants include Rivqa (Biblical Hebrew), Rhebekka (Biblical Greek), Rebekka (Norwegian, German, Finnish), Rebeka (Slovene, Latvian), and Rébecca (French). While Rebecca is the dominant spelling in English, Rebekah is chiefly confined to religious contexts and families preferring a direct Biblical form.Origin: HebrewMeaning: "Join, tie, snare"On Parent: Isaac's wife in the Old TestamentPopularized: After Protestant Reformation, especially in 17th-century EnglandUsage: English Biblical, English general