Rebecca in Chinese
Rebecca in Chinese is 丽贝卡 (Lì Bèi Kǎ).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- to bind, captivating
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "to bind, captivating". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1970s. Spellings pronounced the same way include Rebekah, which share the transliteration 丽贝卡.
3 ways to write Rebecca
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
丽贝卡
Lì Bèi Kǎ
The standard transliteration of Rebecca: 丽 (lì, "beautiful, elegant"), 贝 (bèi, "shell, cowrie (treasure)"), 卡 (kǎ, "card (phonetic 'ca/ka')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 丽 (lì) carries "re", 贝 (bèi) carries "bec", 卡 (kǎ) carries "ca". The tone contour is 4-4-3 (falling, falling, dipping).
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 丽
lì
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, elegant
- 贝
bèi
Tone 4 · 4 strokes (simplified)
shell, cowrie (treasure)
- 卡
kǎ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
card (phonetic 'ca/ka')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
婉清
Wǎn Qīng
Inspired by "to bind, captivating": 婉 (wǎn, "gentle, graceful") + 清 (qīng, "clear, pure"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Rebecca's meaning ("to bind, captivating") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 婉 (gentle, graceful) and 清 (clear, pure) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 婉
wǎn
Tone 3 · 11 strokes (simplified)
gentle, graceful
- 清
qīng
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
clear, pure
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
丽静
Lì Jìng
丽 (lì, "beautiful, elegant") + 静 (jìng, "quiet, serene"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 丽 (lì), the same opening character as the transliteration 丽贝卡, for the "re" sound, and replaces the rest with 静 ("quiet, serene") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 丽
lì
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, elegant
- 静
jìng
Tone 4 · 14 strokes (simplified)
quiet, serene
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 746,921 girls named Rebecca since 1880, with the high point in 1981 (16,740 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #21 to #215 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1981
- Peak decade
- 1970s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 746,921
More About Rebecca in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Rebecca offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Rebecca, you'll find options that work for you.
Rebecca is also spelled Rebekah — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Rebekah in Chinese, Alexis in Chinese, and Amber in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Victoria in Chinese, Isabella in Chinese, Sophia in Chinese, and Michelle in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Rebecca, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Rebecca to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rebecca in Chinese characters?
丽贝卡 (Lì Bèi Kǎ), or 麗貝卡 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Rebecca with real meaning?
Try 婉清 (Wǎn Qīng): gentle, graceful + clear, pure, inspired by "to bind, captivating". For something that still sounds like Rebecca, 丽静 (Lì Jìng) is a middle ground.
How popular is the name Rebecca?
US Social Security records show 746,921 girls named Rebecca since 1880, with the high point in 1981 (16,740 births) and the busiest decade being the 1970s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #21 to #215 among girls.