Meaning: Its source is hrok, an Ancient Germanic name meaning "Rest."

Alternative Spellings: Rochel, Rochele, Rochell, Roshele, Roshell, Roshelle, Ruscelle, Rushell and Rushelle

Variant Forms: Richelle and Rochale

Popularity: The name Rochelle ranked 443rd in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: This name may be based on the French place name of La Rochelle. It certainly owes some of its popularity to its similarity to Raquel and Michelle.