Message: "Why add an "A" to Rachel?"

Why add an "A" to Rachel?

by Rachael (guest)

6/16/2005, 2:24 PM

Where did the extra and unneccessary "A" in "Rachel" come from?

Replies

- Nellie (guest)

6/16/2005, 9:56 PM

I don't know the correct answer, but I'm going to have to agree with Ylva that when translating from the Greek or Hebrew, that there was probably some discrepancy in how to spell it in English. Personally, my favorite spelling is "Rachael". I think it softens it, kind of like adding the "e" on Anne and "h" on Sarah.

- ADT (guest) +3

6/16/2005, 4:31 PM

Then there is Racheal and Rachael. :)

- Rachael (guest) +2

6/16/2005, 5:45 PM

Yeah and i have no idea why anyone would do that and where it came from first. Everyone always comments on the spelling of my name ,"rachael", and its really annoying.

- Ylva +1

6/16/2005, 5:51 PM

Maybe Rachael was the original spelling?

Rachel/Rachael/Raquel etc. was Hebrew to begin with. Maybe Rachael was the first transcription form? Like MichAEL, IsrAEL, YAEL, NathanAEL, RaphAEL.

I know I would answer this if some nosy person asked about this spelling, whether it is right or not. :)

- Andy ;—) (guest)

6/16/2005, 10:57 PM

I can't find any evidence for RACHAEL in the bible. In the Hebrew bible it's RAKHEL, same in the Greek Translation, and RAHEL in the Latin version. I don't know about older English translations or maybe French or maybe adaptions to literature.
But I assume the E slipped in, just because it looked fanciful and would still be pronounced the same way. Or as you say, to make it look like MICHAEL or YAEL. But here of course the EL part means something: "God", or in the case of YAEL it's part of the vocabulary word.

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