Rafael Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Rafael Name Meaning

Fact: In Arabic, Rafael (Rafa’) means “happiness” or “well-being.”

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Rafael Overview

Meaning

God has healed

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Originates from Hebrew, derived from the words “rafa” (to heal) and “el” (God)

Religion

Christianity, Judaism, Islam

Pronunciation

/rɑːˈfeɪ.əl/

Popularity

Rafael is admired in countries like Spain, Brazil, and Italy, celebrated for its classic charm. In 2023, Rafael ranked #240 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Exotic, Religious and Spiritual, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Artistic, compassionate, elegant

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with the archangel Raphael, a healer and guide in various religious traditions.

Name Day

September 29 (Catholic)
A Deep Dive

Rafael Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Raphael, Raffael, Raffaello, Rafel, Rafal

Common Nicknames

Rafe, Rafa, Rafi, Raf, Rael

Diminutives

Ral, Feli, Raphy, El, Rafy

Famous People

  • Rafael Nadal
    (Spanish Tennis Player)
  • Rafael Trujillo
    (Dominican Politician)
  • Rafael Correa
    (Ecuadorian Politician)
  • Rafael Mendez
    (Mexican Trumpeter)
  • Rafael Eitan
    (Israeli Military Leader)
  • Rafael Sabatini
    (Italian-English Author)
  • Rafael Benitez
    (Spanish Soccer Coach)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Rafael Barba
    ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," TV Series)
  • Rafael Solano
    ("Jane the Virgin," TV Series)
  • "Rafael"
    (Song by Jacques Brel)
  • Rafael
    ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," TV Series)
  • "Rafael in Paris"
    (Novel)
  • Rafael Nadal
    ("Strokes of Genius," Documentary)
  • Rafael
    ("El Secreto de Puente Viejo," TV Series)

Places

  • San Rafael City
    (California, USA)
  • Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
    (Reno, Nevada, USA)
  • Rafael Nadal Academy
    (Manacor, Spain)

What Is the Meaning of Rafael?

Rafael means “God has healed.” Individuals named Rafael often carry a sense of compassion and spiritual insight.

What Is the Origin of The Name Rafael?

The name Rafael originates from Hebrew, derived from the Hebrew words “rafa” (to heal) and “el” (God). It has been widely used across various cultures, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, due to its biblical association with the Archangel Raphael.

Rafael Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Rafael in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2372021#2322022#2322023
Top 3 Rankings#1951985#1991982#2011983

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Rafael

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023232
No change from 2022
1508
(-6 from 2022)
0.08235
2022232
(+5 from 2021)
1514
(+25 from 2021)
0.08083
2021237
(+10 from 2020)
1489
(+67 from 2020)
0.07947
2020247
(+14 from 2019)
1422
(+32 from 2019)
0.07688
2019261
(-3 from 2018)
1390
(-14 from 2018)
0.07233
2018258
(+24 from 2017)
1404
(+122 from 2017)
0.07223
2017282
(+9 from 2016)
1282
(+44 from 2016)
0.06478
2016291
(+2 from 2015)
1238
(+13 from 2015)
0.06112
2015293
No change from 2014
1225
(+20 from 2014)
0.05992
2014293
(-6 from 2013)
1205
(-3 from 2013)
0.05880
2013287
(+1 from 2012)
1208
(-21 from 2012)
0.05978
2012288
(-14 from 2011)
1229
(-45 from 2011)
0.06057
2011274
(-17 from 2010)
1274
(-59 from 2010)
0.06271
2010257
No change from 2009
1333
(-11 from 2009)
0.06488
2009257
(-18 from 2008)
1344
(-197 from 2008)
0.06337
2008239
(-11 from 2007)
1541
(-81 from 2007)
0.07067
2007228
(-11 from 2006)
1622
(-80 from 2006)
0.07323
2006217
(+11 from 2005)
1702
(+211 from 2005)
0.07763
2005228
(-4 from 2004)
1491
(-53 from 2004)
0.07009
2004224
(+12 from 2003)
1544
(+133 from 2003)
0.07306
2003236
(-5 from 2002)
1411
(-42 from 2002)
0.06715
2002231
(+1 from 2001)
1453
(-2 from 2001)
0.07031
2001232
(-2 from 2000)
1455
(-17 from 2000)
0.07034
2000230
(-1 from 1999)
1472
(+34 from 1999)
0.07049
1999229
No change from 1998
1438
(+52 from 1998)
0.07052
1998229
(-2 from 1997)
1386
(+26 from 1997)
0.06836
1997227
(-12 from 1996)
1360
(-39 from 1996)
0.06808
1996215
(-10 from 1995)
1399
(-60 from 1995)
0.06982
1995205
(-3 from 1994)
1459
(+28 from 1994)
0.07254
1994202
(+9 from 1993)
1431
(+4 from 1993)
0.07020
1993211
(-3 from 1992)
1427
(-57 from 1992)
0.06909
1992208
(+2 from 1991)
1484
(+1 from 1991)
0.07069
1991210
(-9 from 1990)
1483
(-20 from 1990)
0.06996
1990201
(+12 from 1989)
1503
(+181 from 1989)
0.06984
1989213
(-8 from 1988)
1322
(+36 from 1988)
0.06307
1988205
(+2 from 1987)
1286
(+70 from 1987)
0.06423
1987207
(-4 from 1986)
1216
(+5 from 1986)
0.06235
1986203
(-8 from 1985)
1211
(-38 from 1985)
0.06302
1985195
(+9 from 1984)
1249
(+102 from 1984)
0.06490
1984204
(-3 from 1983)
1147
(-39 from 1983)
0.06112
1983201
(-2 from 1982)
1186
(-68 from 1982)
0.06364
1982199
(+5 from 1981)
1254
(+41 from 1981)
0.06645
1981204
(+4 from 1980)
1213
(+26 from 1980)
0.06513
1980208
(+14 from 1979)
1187
(+162 from 1979)
0.06400
1979222
(-4 from 1978)
1025
(+29 from 1978)
0.05722
1978218
(-3 from 1977)
996
(-37 from 1977)
0.05829
1977215
No change from 1976
1033
(+57 from 1976)
0.06043
1976215
No change from 1975
976
(-10 from 1975)
0.05978
1975215
(+11 from 1974)
986
(+56 from 1974)
0.06077
1974226
(+6 from 1973)
930
(+25 from 1973)
0.05705
1973232
No change from 1972
905
(-21 from 1972)
0.05608
1972232
(+24 from 1971)
926
(+59 from 1971)
0.05532
1971256
(-11 from 1970)
867
(-80 from 1970)
0.04769
1970245
(+10 from 1969)
947
(+129 from 1969)
0.04972
1969255
(+4 from 1968)
818
(+50 from 1968)
0.04472
1968259
(+19 from 1967)
768
(+98 from 1967)
0.04326
1967278
(+20 from 1966)
670
(+50 from 1966)
0.03765
1966298
(+6 from 1965)
620
(+5 from 1965)
0.03411
1965304
(+20 from 1964)
615
(+33 from 1964)
0.03246
1964324
(+13 from 1963)
582
(+56 from 1963)
0.02871
1963337
(-5 from 1962)
526
(-40 from 1962)
0.02548
1962332
(-6 from 1961)
566
(-14 from 1961)
0.02693
1961326
(+8 from 1960)
580
(+39 from 1960)
0.02689
1960334
(+11 from 1959)
541
(+34 from 1959)
0.02498
1959345
(-3 from 1958)
507
(+4 from 1958)
0.02340
1958342
(+46 from 1957)
503
(+114 from 1957)
0.02334
1957388
(-39 from 1956)
389
(-59 from 1956)
0.01777
1956349
(+4 from 1955)
448
(+31 from 1955)
0.02087
1955353
(-4 from 1954)
417
(-3 from 1954)
0.01995
1954349
(+34 from 1953)
420
(+91 from 1953)
0.02030
1953383
(-28 from 1952)
329
(-37 from 1952)
0.01643
1952355
(+56 from 1951)
366
(+91 from 1951)
0.01855
1951411
(-22 from 1950)
275
(-24 from 1950)
0.01439
1950389
(+33 from 1949)
299
(+39 from 1949)
0.01644
1949422
(-7 from 1948)
260
(-5 from 1948)
0.01443
1948415
(+21 from 1947)
265
(+26 from 1947)
0.01486
1947436
(+16 from 1946)
239
(+43 from 1946)
0.01287
1946452
(+1 from 1945)
196
(+24 from 1945)
0.01188
1945453
(+5 from 1944)
172
(-4 from 1944)
0.01254
1944458
(+75 from 1943)
176
(+36 from 1943)
0.01267
1943533
(-30 from 1942)
140
(-8 from 1942)
0.00962
1942503
(+43 from 1941)
148
(+29 from 1941)
0.01051
1941546
(-6 from 1940)
119
(+1 from 1940)
0.00948
1940540
(+4 from 1939)
118
(+7 from 1939)
0.00995
1939544
(+4 from 1938)
111
No change from 1938
0.00979
1938548
(+14 from 1937)
111
(+5 from 1937)
0.00977
1937562
(-35 from 1936)
106
(-11 from 1936)
0.00969
1936527
(-10 from 1935)
117
(-7 from 1935)
0.01099
1935517
(-16 from 1934)
124
(-8 from 1934)
0.01159
1934501
(-10 from 1933)
132
(+2 from 1933)
0.01243
1933491
(-57 from 1932)
130
(-37 from 1932)
0.01274
1932434
(-27 from 1931)
167
(-23 from 1931)
0.01554
1931407
(-15 from 1930)
190
(-24 from 1930)
0.01776
1930392
(+11 from 1929)
214
(+5 from 1929)
0.01895
1929403
(+7 from 1928)
209
(-6 from 1928)
0.01887
1928410
(+18 from 1927)
215
(+14 from 1927)
0.01884
1927428
(+39 from 1926)
201
(+35 from 1926)
0.01730
1926467
(-16 from 1925)
166
(-12 from 1925)
0.01449
1925451
(+14 from 1924)
178
(+4 from 1924)
0.01546
1924465
(+34 from 1923)
174
(+25 from 1923)
0.01488
1923499
(+11 from 1922)
149
(+3 from 1922)
0.01316
1922510
(+18 from 1921)
146
(+7 from 1921)
0.01298
1921528
(+21 from 1920)
139
(+15 from 1920)
0.01222
1920549
(+27 from 1919)
124
(+16 from 1919)
0.01126
1919576
(+130 from 1918)
108
(+28 from 1918)
0.01064
1918706
(-12 from 1917)
80
(+4 from 1917)
0.00763
1917694
(+1 from 1916)
76
(+3 from 1916)
0.00792
1916695
(+30 from 1915)
73
(+6 from 1915)
0.00791
1915725
(-52 from 1914)
67
(+10 from 1914)
0.00761
1914673
(-58 from 1913)
57
(+6 from 1913)
0.00834
1913615
(+34 from 1912)
51
(+9 from 1912)
0.00951
1912649
(-44 from 1911)
42
(+17 from 1911)
0.00930
1911605
(-81 from 1910)
25
(-4 from 1910)
0.01036
1910524
(+50 from 1909)
29
(+8 from 1909)
0.01391
1909574
(-33 from 1908)
21
(-1 from 1908)
0.01187
1908541
(+50 from 1907)
22
(+4 from 1907)
0.01322
1907591
(-102 from 1906)
18
(-3 from 1906)
0.01135
1906489
(+85 from 1905)
21
(+4 from 1905)
0.01458
1905574
(-122 from 1904)
17
(-5 from 1904)
0.01187
1904452
(+167 from 1903)
22
(+9 from 1903)
0.01588
1903619
(+125 from 1902)
13
(+3 from 1902)
0.01005
1902744
(-257 from 1901)
10
(-6 from 1901)
0.00753
1901487
(+256 from 1900)
16
(+4 from 1900)
0.01384
1900743
(-82 from 1899)
12
(+2 from 1899)
0.00740
1899661
(+143 from 1898)
10
(+2 from 1898)
0.00868
1898804
(-189 from 1897)
8
(-4 from 1897)
0.00606
1897615
(+285 from 1896)
12
(+5 from 1896)
0.00984
1896900
(-260 from 1895)
7
(-4 from 1895)
0.00542
1895640
(+147 from 1894)
11
(+3 from 1894)
0.00869
1894787
(+120 from 1893)
8
(+2 from 1893)
0.00641
1893907
(-46 from 1892)
6
(-1 from 1892)
0.00496
1892861
(-20 from 1891)
7
(+1 from 1891)
0.00533
1891841
(-174 from 1890)
6
(-3 from 1890)
0.00549
1890667
(+55 from 1889)
9
(+1 from 1889)
0.00752
1889722
(-18 from 1888)
8
(-1 from 1888)
0.00672
1888704
(-25 from 1887)
9
(+1 from 1887)
0.00693
1887679
(+157 from 1885)
8
(+2 from 1885)
0.00732
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1885836
(+135 from 1884)
6
(+1 from 1884)
0.00517
1884971
(-251 from 1883)
5
(-2 from 1883)
0.00407
1883720
(+117 from 1882)
7
(+1 from 1882)
0.00622
1882837
(-242 from 1881)
6
(-3 from 1881)
0.00492
1881595
(+150 from 1880)
9
(+2 from 1880)
0.00831
1880745
First SSA data recorded
7
First SSA data recorded
0.00591

American States Popularity Rankings for Rafael

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1402021#1232022#1422023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1272021#1392022#1362023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2012021#2042022#2142023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1952021#2152022#1642023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2252021#2412022#2642023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2212021#1792022#2002023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1622021#1772022#1882023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2282021#1792022#2022023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3382021#4112022#3192023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3532021#3742022#3062023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2672021#2122022#2232023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1402021#1782022#2252023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2332021#1692022#2152023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4132021#5492022#5022023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3362021#2962022#4112023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2572021#2102022#2862023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#5282021#4312022#5032023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3062021#4432022#3772023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2232021#3882022#2932023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4832021#1522022#2032023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2922021#3442022#2662023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5962021#3422022#4272023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#6802021#4012022#3812023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3992021#3112022#4242023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3152021#4742022#3312023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5172021#5302022#3692023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3872021#3642022#4912023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3742021#4902022#3172023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3512021#4742022#3922023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#5262021#7512022#6522023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6572021#6042022#4212023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#702020#1052022#902023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#7862021#5762022#5702023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4932021#4172022#2662023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#6032020#3812022#5462023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2302019#3322021#3792022

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3402016#3982022#2442023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2172017#2102022#2402023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4392003#5892005#4142009

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6322019#4832021#3572023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2112019#2752021#2212022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1622008

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2582020

Popularity Rankings for Rafael in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Brazil

Brazil flagBrazil#61990 (Decade)#42000 (Decade)#132010 (Decade)

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#152012#202019#202020

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#282020#272021

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#382019#362020#412021

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#412021#392022#392023

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#532021#402022#422023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#552013#652014#582015

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#632020#562021#572022

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#642020#582021#582022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#672020#642021#812022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#762020#762021#832022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#912021#872022#972023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1132019#1372020#1232021

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#1272016#1362017#1382018

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3292021#1642022#1392023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1422019#1962020#1422021

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2032019#1872020#1882021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3182017#3122019#2342022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2422021#2442022#3372023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3142021#4372022#2472023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2732022#4372023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3122021#2732022#3032023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2782021#3182022#2932023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3722020#2922022#3042023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#3262021#3062022#3302023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Rafael a Name for Boys or Girls?

This name is traditionally used for boys, especially in Hispanic and Portuguese-speaking cultures.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Rafael

Rafael in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Rafael Nadal (Tennis Player, born 1986): A Spanish professional tennis player who has won numerous Grand Slam titles and is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
  • Rafael Trujillo (Politician, 1891–1961): A Dominican dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic for over 30 years with an iron fist.
  • Rafael Correa (Politician, born 1963): An Ecuadorian politician and economist who served as the President of Ecuador from 2007 to 2017.
  • Rafael Mendez (Trumpeter, 1906–1981): A Mexican virtuoso trumpeter celebrated for his exceptional technical skills and musicality.
  • Rafael Eitan (Military Leader, 1929–2004): An Israeli general and politician who played a significant role in the Israeli military.
  • Rafael Sabatini (Author, 1875–1950): An Italian-English author of popular historical novels, including "Scaramouche" and "Captain Blood."
  • Rafael Benitez (Soccer Coach, born 1960): A Spanish football manager with a distinguished career in managing top European clubs.
  • Rafael Barba ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 1999 TV Series): A dedicated and often ruthless Assistant District Attorney who prosecutes sensitive cases.
  • Rafael Solano ("Jane the Virgin," 2014 TV Series): A wealthy hotel owner and the biological father of Jane's son, who has a complex relationship with Jane.
  • "Rafael" (1980 Song by Jacques Brel): A poignant song that reflects on the life and times of a man named Rafael.
  • Rafael ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," 1987 TV Series): One of the four ninja turtles, known for his red mask and fierce temper.
  • "Rafael in Paris" (2015 Novel): Follows the journey of Rafael as he navigates life and love in the city of lights.
  • Rafael Nadal ("Strokes of Genius," 2018 Documentary): Chronicles the rivalry and friendship between tennis players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
  • Rafael ("El Secreto de Puente Viejo," 2011 TV Series): A pivotal character whose actions significantly impact the storyline.
  • Rafael House (Bucharest, Romania): A historical building in Bucharest, featuring beautiful neo-Romanian architectural style.
  • San Rafael City (California, USA): A vibrant city in Marin County, nestled in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • San Rafael Park (Reno, Nevada, USA): A popular recreational area in Reno, providing various outdoor activities and scenic views.
  • Rafael Uribe Uribe Park (Bogotá, Colombia): A well-visited park in the heart of Bogotá, named after the Colombian liberal leader.
  • Rafael Nadal Academy (Manacor, Spain): A renowned tennis academy founded by the famous tennis player Rafael Nadal, located in his hometown.
  • Rafael River (Huancavelica, Peru): A river flowing through the Huancavelica region, contributing to the local irrigation system.

Similar Names to Rafael