Raphael: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The evidence of the name Raphael dates back all the way to c. 1350 BC, appearing in a Pabi letter.

Raphael Overview

Meaning

God has healed

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew words “rafa” meaning “to heal” and “el” meaning “God,” so the name means “God has healed”.

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈræfiəl/

Popularity

Raphael is popular in various countries, especially in France, Germany, and Israel. In the USA, it ranked as the 453rd most popular name for boys in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Traditional, Religious and Spiritual, Unique

Associated Traits

Compassionate, strong, artistic, intelligent

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Raphael is an archangel in Hebrew tradition, recognized for his healing powers and mentioned in the Book of Tobit.

Name Day

September 29th (Germany)

Raphael Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Rafael, Raffaello, Rafal, Rafaelo, Raphaël, Raffael, Refael, Rafaele, Raphaelo, Rafail

Common Nicknames

Raph, Raf, Raffy, Raphy, Rafe, Raffie, Rapha, Rafo, Rafi, Ray

Diminutives

Raph, Raf, Raffy, Raphy, Rafi

Famous People

Raphael
(Italian Painter)
Raphael Saadiq
(American R&B Singer)
Raphael Warnock
(American Politician)
Raphael Varane
(French Soccer Player)
Raphael Sbarge
(American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Raphael
("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," TV Series)
"Raphael"
(Album)
Raphael Santiago
("The Mortal Instruments," Novel Series)
Raphael Sorel
("Soulcalibur," Video Game Series)

Places

Saint-Raphael Locality
(Nord-Est, Haiti)

What Is the Meaning of Raphael?

Raphael means “God has healed,” signifying divine healing and protection.

What Is the Origin of The Name Raphael?

The name Raphael has Hebrew origins, derived from the Hebrew word “רָפָאֵל” (Rafa’el).

Raphael Name Popularity

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

United States	#4832022	#4532023
Top 3 Rankings	#4532023	#4641990	#4832022

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Raphael

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	453 (+30 from 2022)	680 (+40 from 2022)	0.03714
2022	483 (+53 from 2021)	640 (+92 from 2021)	0.03417
2021	536 (-26 from 2020)	548 (-11 from 2020)	0.02925
2020	510 (+13 from 2019)	559 (+15 from 2019)	0.03022
2019	523 (+6 from 2018)	544 (+9 from 2018)	0.02831
2018	529 (-13 from 2017)	535 (-25 from 2017)	0.02752
2017	516 (+17 from 2016)	560 (+10 from 2016)	0.02830
2016	533 (+4 from 2015)	550 (+18 from 2015)	0.02715
2015	537 (+58 from 2014)	532 (+71 from 2014)	0.02602
2014	595 (+3 from 2013)	461 (+38 from 2013)	0.02250
2013	598 (+29 from 2012)	423 (+36 from 2012)	0.02093
2012	627 (+38 from 2011)	387 (+31 from 2011)	0.01907
2011	665 (-11 from 2010)	356 (-12 from 2010)	0.01752
2010	654 (-32 from 2009)	368 (-32 from 2009)	0.01791
2009	622 No change from 2008	400 (+3 from 2008)	0.01886
2008	622 (+78 from 2007)	397 (+64 from 2007)	0.01821
2007	700 (-19 from 2006)	333 (+2 from 2006)	0.01503
2006	681 (-13 from 2005)	331 (+15 from 2005)	0.01510
2005	668 (+2 from 2004)	316 (+12 from 2004)	0.01485
2004	670 (+54 from 2003)	304 (+51 from 2003)	0.01438
2003	724 (-43 from 2002)	253 (-16 from 2002)	0.01204
2002	681 No change from 2001	269 (+3 from 2001)	0.01302
2001	681 (-64 from 2000)	266 (-38 from 2000)	0.01286
2000	617 (+28 from 1999)	304 (+36 from 1999)	0.01456
1999	645 (+21 from 1998)	268 (+12 from 1998)	0.01314
1998	666 (-25 from 1997)	256 (-3 from 1997)	0.01263
1997	641 (+15 from 1996)	259 (+5 from 1996)	0.01296
1996	656 (+3 from 1995)	254 (+3 from 1995)	0.01268
1995	659 (-16 from 1994)	251 (-9 from 1994)	0.01248
1994	643 (-19 from 1993)	260 (-10 from 1993)	0.01276
1993	624 (-47 from 1992)	270 (-41 from 1992)	0.01307
1992	577 (-61 from 1991)	311 (-60 from 1991)	0.01482
1991	516 (-52 from 1990)	371 (-79 from 1990)	0.01750
1990	464 (+89 from 1989)	450 (+147 from 1989)	0.02091
1989	553 (-30 from 1988)	303 No change from 1988	0.01446
1988	523 (+44 from 1987)	303 (+50 from 1987)	0.01513
1987	567 (-22 from 1986)	253 (-15 from 1986)	0.01297
1986	545 (+3 from 1985)	268 (+12 from 1985)	0.01395
1985	548 (+39 from 1984)	256 (+48 from 1984)	0.01330
1984	587 (+54 from 1983)	208 (+29 from 1983)	0.01108
1983	641 (-14 from 1982)	179 (-12 from 1982)	0.00961
1982	627 (+36 from 1981)	191 (+24 from 1981)	0.01012
1981	663 (+27 from 1980)	167 (+9 from 1980)	0.00897
1980	690 (-9 from 1979)	158 (+1 from 1979)	0.00852
1979	681 (-39 from 1978)	157 (-14 from 1978)	0.00876
1978	642 (-21 from 1977)	171 (-11 from 1977)	0.01001
1977	621 (-18 from 1976)	182 No change from 1976	0.01065
1976	603 (+1 from 1975)	182 (+1 from 1975)	0.01115
1975	604 (+27 from 1974)	181 (+19 from 1974)	0.01116
1974	631 (-58 from 1973)	162 (-30 from 1973)	0.00994
1973	573 (+22 from 1972)	192 (+12 from 1972)	0.01190
1972	595 (+15 from 1971)	180 (-7 from 1971)	0.01075
1971	610 (+15 from 1970)	187 (+19 from 1970)	0.01029
1970	625 (+18 from 1969)	168 (+15 from 1969)	0.00882
1969	643 (+18 from 1968)	153 (+23 from 1968)	0.00836
1968	661 (+62 from 1967)	130 (+25 from 1967)	0.00732
1967	723 (-17 from 1966)	105 (-5 from 1966)	0.00590
1966	706 (+48 from 1965)	110 (+14 from 1965)	0.00605
1965	754 (+13 from 1964)	96 (-2 from 1964)	0.00507
1964	767 No change from 1963	98 (-1 from 1963)	0.00483
1963	767 (-27 from 1962)	99 (-8 from 1962)	0.00480
1962	740 (-25 from 1961)	107 (-8 from 1961)	0.00509
1961	715 (+81 from 1960)	115 (+22 from 1960)	0.00533
1960	796 (-19 from 1959)	93 (-4 from 1959)	0.00429
1959	777 (-39 from 1958)	97 (-3 from 1958)	0.00448
1958	738 (+24 from 1957)	100 (+3 from 1957)	0.00464
1957	762 (-6 from 1956)	97 (+3 from 1956)	0.00443
1956	756 No change from 1955	94 (+1 from 1955)	0.00438
1955	756 (-68 from 1954)	93 (-17 from 1954)	0.00445
1954	688 (+108 from 1953)	110 (+29 from 1953)	0.00532
1953	796 (-35 from 1952)	81 (-5 from 1952)	0.00405
1952	761 (+72 from 1951)	86 (+15 from 1951)	0.00436
1951	833 (+11 from 1950)	71 (+6 from 1950)	0.00371
1950	844 (-23 from 1949)	65 (-4 from 1949)	0.00357
1949	821 (-84 from 1948)	69 (-14 from 1948)	0.00383
1948	737 (+99 from 1947)	83 (+14 from 1947)	0.00466
1947	836 (-17 from 1946)	69 (+5 from 1946)	0.00371
1946	819 (-29 from 1945)	64 (+3 from 1945)	0.00388
1945	790 (+128 from 1944)	61 (+13 from 1944)	0.00445
1944	918 (-43 from 1943)	48 (-10 from 1943)	0.00346
1943	875 (-95 from 1942)	58 (-10 from 1942)	0.00399
1942	780 (+6 from 1941)	68 (+5 from 1941)	0.00483
1941	786 (-68 from 1940)	63 (-9 from 1940)	0.00502
1940	718 (-1 from 1939)	72 (+3 from 1939)	0.00607
1939	717 (+165 from 1938)	69 (+19 from 1938)	0.00609
1938	882 (-111 from 1937)	50 (-13 from 1937)	0.00440
1937	771 (-52 from 1936)	63 (-6 from 1936)	0.00576
1936	719 (+139 from 1935)	69 (+16 from 1935)	0.00648
1935	858 (-50 from 1934)	53 (-6 from 1934)	0.00496
1934	808 (-87 from 1933)	59 (-12 from 1933)	0.00556
1933	721 (+14 from 1932)	71 (-1 from 1932)	0.00696
1932	735 (-93 from 1931)	72 (-13 from 1931)	0.00670
1931	642 (-17 from 1930)	85 (-12 from 1930)	0.00795
1930	625 (-5 from 1929)	97 (+1 from 1929)	0.00859
1929	620 (-7 from 1928)	96 (-3 from 1928)	0.00867
1928	613 (+64 from 1927)	99 (+9 from 1927)	0.00868
1927	677 (+32 from 1926)	90 (+9 from 1926)	0.00775
1926	709 (-70 from 1925)	81 (-18 from 1925)	0.00707
1925	639 (-26 from 1924)	99 (-9 from 1924)	0.00860
1924	613 (+47 from 1923)	108 (+14 from 1923)	0.00924
1923	660 (-106 from 1922)	94 (-36 from 1922)	0.00830
1922	554 (+83 from 1921)	130 (+29 from 1921)	0.01155
1921	637 (-14 from 1920)	101 (-2 from 1920)	0.00888
1920	623 (-11 from 1919)	103 (+5 from 1919)	0.00936
1919	612 (+3 from 1918)	98 (-2 from 1918)	0.00965
1918	615 (+30 from 1917)	100 (+15 from 1917)	0.00954
1917	645 (-117 from 1916)	85 (-32 from 1916)	0.00886
1916	528 (+41 from 1915)	117 (+17 from 1915)	0.01267
1915	569 (-66 from 1914)	100 (+5 from 1914)	0.01135
1914	503 (+17 from 1913)	95 (+27 from 1913)	0.01390
1913	520 (+19 from 1912)	68 (+13 from 1912)	0.01268
1912	539 (+9 from 1911)	55 (+25 from 1911)	0.01218
1911	548 (+129 from 1910)	30 (+11 from 1910)	0.01243
1910	677 (+163 from 1909)	19 (+7 from 1909)	0.00911
1909	840 (-327 from 1908)	12 (-12 from 1908)	0.00678
1908	513 (+46 from 1907)	24 (+5 from 1907)	0.01443
1907	559 (+115 from 1906)	19 (+6 from 1906)	0.01198
1906	674 (-8 from 1905)	13 No change from 1905	0.00902
1905	666 (+94 from 1904)	13 (+3 from 1904)	0.00908
1904	760 (+23 from 1903)	10 (+1 from 1903)	0.00722
1903	783 (-227 from 1902)	9 (-6 from 1902)	0.00696
1902	556 (+3 from 1901)	15 (+2 from 1901)	0.01130
1901	559 (+409 from 1900)	13 (+5 from 1900)	0.01125
1900	968 (-307 from 1899)	8 (-2 from 1899)	0.00493
1899	661 (-50 from 1898)	10 (-3 from 1898)	0.00868
1898	611 (-27 from 1897)	13 No change from 1897	0.00984
1897	584 (+194 from 1896)	13 (+4 from 1896)	0.01066
1896	778 (-39 from 1895)	9 No change from 1895	0.00697
1895	739 (-9 from 1894)	9 No change from 1894	0.00711
1894	730 (-115 from 1893)	9 (-2 from 1893)	0.00721
1893	615 (-43 from 1892)	11 (-2 from 1892)	0.00909
1892	572 (+63 from 1891)	13 (+4 from 1891)	0.00989
1891	635 (-54 from 1889)	9 (-2 from 1889)	0.00824
1890	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1889	581 (+340 from 1887)	11 (+6 from 1887)	0.00924
1888	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1887	921 (-163 from 1886)	5 (-2 from 1886)	0.00457
1886	758 (+185 from 1882)	7 (+2 from 1882)	0.00588
1885	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1884	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1883	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1882	943 First SSA data recorded	5 First SSA data recorded	0.00410
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Raphael

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

New York (NY)

#3832021

#3102022

#3022023

California (CA)

#5272021

#3882022

#3622023

Texas (TX)

#5602021

#4712022

#4382023

Florida (FL)

#3792021

#4512022

#3962023

Illinois (IL)

#3922021

#3802022

#4572023

New Jersey (NJ)

#2952021

#2252022

#3982023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#8352021

#4622022

#4842023

Michigan (MI)

#4962021

#7412022

#4822023

Massachusetts (MA)

#3402021

#2502022

#2802023

Georgia (GA)

#6062021

#5452022

#5402023

Ohio (OH)

#9222021

#7322022

#5292023

Maryland (MD)

#3622021

#3232022

#3712023

Louisiana (LA)

#7882019

#7862020

#9342022

Virginia (VA)

#3512021

#4262022

#4422023

Washington (WA)

#4052021

#4252022

#4132023

North Carolina (NC)

#6292021

#4482022

#5292023

Arizona (AZ)

#4512021

#5492022

#4372023

Wisconsin (WI)

#8482020

#6612022

#7592023

Minnesota (MN)

#6282021

#6462022

#7142023

Connecticut (CT)

#3312020

#4282021

#5522023

Colorado (CO)

#5782021

#4692022

#3812023

District of Columbia (DC)

#2082021

#1932022

#2282023

Tennessee (TN)

#8812021

#11522022

#9002023

Missouri (MO)

#7422021

#7532022

#7242023

Indiana (IN)

#9172021

#6922022

#6342023

Iowa (IA)

#3161936

#5672009

#5522015

Alabama (AL)

#6081993

#6652001

#6332005

Mississippi (MS)

#3461990

#2271991

#2781992

Kansas (KS)

#4372020

#6302021

#4582023

Nevada (NV)

#3912021

#5582022

#2822023

South Carolina (SC)

#6042021

#8292022

#6252023

Oregon (OR)

#5352021

#5772022

#4722023

Oklahoma (OK)

#7642019

#6922021

#4522023

New Mexico (NM)

#4242017

#4182018

#3502021

Kentucky (KY)

#6072014

#5682020

#7562022

Utah (UT)

#6642020

#7492022

#4992023

Hawaii (HI)

#1411932

#1071940

#2862018

Arkansas (AR)

#3131989

#6462023

North Dakota (ND)

#2211922

#1871923

Nebraska (NE)

#4182023

Idaho (ID)

#4272015

Rhode Island (RI)

#2172011

Alaska (AK)

#1962023

South Dakota (SD)

#2191921

Popularity Rankings for Raphael in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#142020

#152021

#182022

Popularity in Austria

Austria

#202020

#202021

#242022

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#392021

#372022

#362023

Popularity in France

France

#802015

#1052016

#1512017

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#1312020

#1112021

#1042022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#1762019

#1822020

#1802021

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#2372021

#2452022

#4602023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#4142021

#4542022

#2682023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#3462021

#2782022

#3122023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#3652018

#3652019

#3262021

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#5982019

#3702020

#4592022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#4362006

#4902014

#4422017

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#4602022

#4792023

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

Is Raphael a Name for Boys or Girls?

Raphael is traditionally a boy’s name, rooted in its biblical and religious significance as an archangel.

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

Meaning: God has healed
Origin: HebrewRafael
Raffaello
Rafal
Rafaelo
Raphaël
Raffael
Refael
Rafaele
Raphaelo
Rafail

Raph
Raf
Raffy
Raphy
Rafe
Raffie
Rapha
Rafo
Rafi
Meaning: Advice, king, wise protector
Origin: English, GermanRay

Raph
Raf
Raffy
Raphy
Rafi

Raphael in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Raphael (Painter, 1483–1520): An Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance, known for his Madonnas and large figure compositions in the Vatican.
Raphael Saadiq (R&B Singer, 1966): An American singer, songwriter, and record producer, known for his work in the R&B genre and his role in the band Tony! Toni! Toné!
Raphael Warnock (Politician, 1969): An American pastor and politician serving as the junior United States senator from Georgia since 2021.
Raphael Varane (Soccer Player, 1993): A French professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Manchester United and the French national team.
Raphael Sbarge (Actor, 1964): An American actor known for his roles in TV series such as "Once Upon a Time" and "Murder in the First."

Raphael ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," 1987 TV Series): A member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles known for his red bandana and hot-headed personality.
"Raphael" (1999 Album): An album by the French singer Raphael, featuring popular songs in the French pop genre.
Raphael Santiago ("The Mortal Instruments," 2007 Novel Series): A vampire character in the urban fantasy series "The Mortal Instruments" by Cassandra Clare.
Raphael Sorel ("Soulcalibur," 1998 Video Game Series): A character in the fighting game series "Soulcalibur," known for his fencing skills.

Saint-Raphael Locality (Nord-Est, Haiti): A small locality in the Nord-Est region of Haiti, known for its cultural heritage and local traditions.

Meaning: God has healed
Origin: HebrewRafael
Raphaello
Rafferty
Rafal
Rafe
Raphaela
Raphaelle
Revelle
Rebel
Ripley

Sibling Names for Raphael

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Raphael Also Like

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Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Raphael Name Meaning