Well, when it comes to the name Rebecca, it’s interesting to note that during the medieval period, both the names Rebekah and Rebecca were actually quite popular among Jews. However, the usage of the name Rebecca, specifically spelled with two “c”s, didn’t really become widespread until much later, around the 1600s.
During the early seventeenth century, when the King James Bible was being created, the name Rebekah was actually the favored spelling. This can be seen in the biblical story of Isaac and Rebekah, where her name is consistently spelled with a “k” instead of a “c”. So, if we’re talking about the medieval period, it’s more likely that the name would have been spelled as Rebekah.
Now, let’s talk about the Latin form of the name. Rebecca is generally considered to be the Latin form, but interestingly, you would be hard-pressed to find a woman using the spelling Rebecca much before the 1600s. This suggests that the name Rebecca, as we know it today, became more popular and widely used in the English-speaking world during the 17th century and onwards.
It’s worth noting that the popularity of certain names can vary over time and in different cultures. So, while Rebekah may have been a common name among medieval Jews, the spelling Rebecca seems to have gained more traction in later centuries.
While both Rebekah and Rebecca have been used historically, the spelling Rebecca, as we know it today, became more prevalent in the English-speaking world during the 17th century and onwards. So, if we’re specifically talking about the medieval period, it’s more likely that the name would have been spelled as Rebekah.