Raphael Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

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

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A Deep Dive

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)​
A Deep Dive

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 flagUnited States#5362021#4832022#4532023
Top 3 Rankings#4532023#4641990#4832022

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Raphael

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023453
(+30 from 2022)
680
(+40 from 2022)
0.03714
2022483
(+53 from 2021)
640
(+92 from 2021)
0.03417
2021536
(-26 from 2020)
548
(-11 from 2020)
0.02925
2020510
(+13 from 2019)
559
(+15 from 2019)
0.03022
2019523
(+6 from 2018)
544
(+9 from 2018)
0.02831
2018529
(-13 from 2017)
535
(-25 from 2017)
0.02752
2017516
(+17 from 2016)
560
(+10 from 2016)
0.02830
2016533
(+4 from 2015)
550
(+18 from 2015)
0.02715
2015537
(+58 from 2014)
532
(+71 from 2014)
0.02602
2014595
(+3 from 2013)
461
(+38 from 2013)
0.02250
2013598
(+29 from 2012)
423
(+36 from 2012)
0.02093
2012627
(+38 from 2011)
387
(+31 from 2011)
0.01907
2011665
(-11 from 2010)
356
(-12 from 2010)
0.01752
2010654
(-32 from 2009)
368
(-32 from 2009)
0.01791
2009622
No change from 2008
400
(+3 from 2008)
0.01886
2008622
(+78 from 2007)
397
(+64 from 2007)
0.01821
2007700
(-19 from 2006)
333
(+2 from 2006)
0.01503
2006681
(-13 from 2005)
331
(+15 from 2005)
0.01510
2005668
(+2 from 2004)
316
(+12 from 2004)
0.01485
2004670
(+54 from 2003)
304
(+51 from 2003)
0.01438
2003724
(-43 from 2002)
253
(-16 from 2002)
0.01204
2002681
No change from 2001
269
(+3 from 2001)
0.01302
2001681
(-64 from 2000)
266
(-38 from 2000)
0.01286
2000617
(+28 from 1999)
304
(+36 from 1999)
0.01456
1999645
(+21 from 1998)
268
(+12 from 1998)
0.01314
1998666
(-25 from 1997)
256
(-3 from 1997)
0.01263
1997641
(+15 from 1996)
259
(+5 from 1996)
0.01296
1996656
(+3 from 1995)
254
(+3 from 1995)
0.01268
1995659
(-16 from 1994)
251
(-9 from 1994)
0.01248
1994643
(-19 from 1993)
260
(-10 from 1993)
0.01276
1993624
(-47 from 1992)
270
(-41 from 1992)
0.01307
1992577
(-61 from 1991)
311
(-60 from 1991)
0.01482
1991516
(-52 from 1990)
371
(-79 from 1990)
0.01750
1990464
(+89 from 1989)
450
(+147 from 1989)
0.02091
1989553
(-30 from 1988)
303
No change from 1988
0.01446
1988523
(+44 from 1987)
303
(+50 from 1987)
0.01513
1987567
(-22 from 1986)
253
(-15 from 1986)
0.01297
1986545
(+3 from 1985)
268
(+12 from 1985)
0.01395
1985548
(+39 from 1984)
256
(+48 from 1984)
0.01330
1984587
(+54 from 1983)
208
(+29 from 1983)
0.01108
1983641
(-14 from 1982)
179
(-12 from 1982)
0.00961
1982627
(+36 from 1981)
191
(+24 from 1981)
0.01012
1981663
(+27 from 1980)
167
(+9 from 1980)
0.00897
1980690
(-9 from 1979)
158
(+1 from 1979)
0.00852
1979681
(-39 from 1978)
157
(-14 from 1978)
0.00876
1978642
(-21 from 1977)
171
(-11 from 1977)
0.01001
1977621
(-18 from 1976)
182
No change from 1976
0.01065
1976603
(+1 from 1975)
182
(+1 from 1975)
0.01115
1975604
(+27 from 1974)
181
(+19 from 1974)
0.01116
1974631
(-58 from 1973)
162
(-30 from 1973)
0.00994
1973573
(+22 from 1972)
192
(+12 from 1972)
0.01190
1972595
(+15 from 1971)
180
(-7 from 1971)
0.01075
1971610
(+15 from 1970)
187
(+19 from 1970)
0.01029
1970625
(+18 from 1969)
168
(+15 from 1969)
0.00882
1969643
(+18 from 1968)
153
(+23 from 1968)
0.00836
1968661
(+62 from 1967)
130
(+25 from 1967)
0.00732
1967723
(-17 from 1966)
105
(-5 from 1966)
0.00590
1966706
(+48 from 1965)
110
(+14 from 1965)
0.00605
1965754
(+13 from 1964)
96
(-2 from 1964)
0.00507
1964767
No change from 1963
98
(-1 from 1963)
0.00483
1963767
(-27 from 1962)
99
(-8 from 1962)
0.00480
1962740
(-25 from 1961)
107
(-8 from 1961)
0.00509
1961715
(+81 from 1960)
115
(+22 from 1960)
0.00533
1960796
(-19 from 1959)
93
(-4 from 1959)
0.00429
1959777
(-39 from 1958)
97
(-3 from 1958)
0.00448
1958738
(+24 from 1957)
100
(+3 from 1957)
0.00464
1957762
(-6 from 1956)
97
(+3 from 1956)
0.00443
1956756
No change from 1955
94
(+1 from 1955)
0.00438
1955756
(-68 from 1954)
93
(-17 from 1954)
0.00445
1954688
(+108 from 1953)
110
(+29 from 1953)
0.00532
1953796
(-35 from 1952)
81
(-5 from 1952)
0.00405
1952761
(+72 from 1951)
86
(+15 from 1951)
0.00436
1951833
(+11 from 1950)
71
(+6 from 1950)
0.00371
1950844
(-23 from 1949)
65
(-4 from 1949)
0.00357
1949821
(-84 from 1948)
69
(-14 from 1948)
0.00383
1948737
(+99 from 1947)
83
(+14 from 1947)
0.00466
1947836
(-17 from 1946)
69
(+5 from 1946)
0.00371
1946819
(-29 from 1945)
64
(+3 from 1945)
0.00388
1945790
(+128 from 1944)
61
(+13 from 1944)
0.00445
1944918
(-43 from 1943)
48
(-10 from 1943)
0.00346
1943875
(-95 from 1942)
58
(-10 from 1942)
0.00399
1942780
(+6 from 1941)
68
(+5 from 1941)
0.00483
1941786
(-68 from 1940)
63
(-9 from 1940)
0.00502
1940718
(-1 from 1939)
72
(+3 from 1939)
0.00607
1939717
(+165 from 1938)
69
(+19 from 1938)
0.00609
1938882
(-111 from 1937)
50
(-13 from 1937)
0.00440
1937771
(-52 from 1936)
63
(-6 from 1936)
0.00576
1936719
(+139 from 1935)
69
(+16 from 1935)
0.00648
1935858
(-50 from 1934)
53
(-6 from 1934)
0.00496
1934808
(-87 from 1933)
59
(-12 from 1933)
0.00556
1933721
(+14 from 1932)
71
(-1 from 1932)
0.00696
1932735
(-93 from 1931)
72
(-13 from 1931)
0.00670
1931642
(-17 from 1930)
85
(-12 from 1930)
0.00795
1930625
(-5 from 1929)
97
(+1 from 1929)
0.00859
1929620
(-7 from 1928)
96
(-3 from 1928)
0.00867
1928613
(+64 from 1927)
99
(+9 from 1927)
0.00868
1927677
(+32 from 1926)
90
(+9 from 1926)
0.00775
1926709
(-70 from 1925)
81
(-18 from 1925)
0.00707
1925639
(-26 from 1924)
99
(-9 from 1924)
0.00860
1924613
(+47 from 1923)
108
(+14 from 1923)
0.00924
1923660
(-106 from 1922)
94
(-36 from 1922)
0.00830
1922554
(+83 from 1921)
130
(+29 from 1921)
0.01155
1921637
(-14 from 1920)
101
(-2 from 1920)
0.00888
1920623
(-11 from 1919)
103
(+5 from 1919)
0.00936
1919612
(+3 from 1918)
98
(-2 from 1918)
0.00965
1918615
(+30 from 1917)
100
(+15 from 1917)
0.00954
1917645
(-117 from 1916)
85
(-32 from 1916)
0.00886
1916528
(+41 from 1915)
117
(+17 from 1915)
0.01267
1915569
(-66 from 1914)
100
(+5 from 1914)
0.01135
1914503
(+17 from 1913)
95
(+27 from 1913)
0.01390
1913520
(+19 from 1912)
68
(+13 from 1912)
0.01268
1912539
(+9 from 1911)
55
(+25 from 1911)
0.01218
1911548
(+129 from 1910)
30
(+11 from 1910)
0.01243
1910677
(+163 from 1909)
19
(+7 from 1909)
0.00911
1909840
(-327 from 1908)
12
(-12 from 1908)
0.00678
1908513
(+46 from 1907)
24
(+5 from 1907)
0.01443
1907559
(+115 from 1906)
19
(+6 from 1906)
0.01198
1906674
(-8 from 1905)
13
No change from 1905
0.00902
1905666
(+94 from 1904)
13
(+3 from 1904)
0.00908
1904760
(+23 from 1903)
10
(+1 from 1903)
0.00722
1903783
(-227 from 1902)
9
(-6 from 1902)
0.00696
1902556
(+3 from 1901)
15
(+2 from 1901)
0.01130
1901559
(+409 from 1900)
13
(+5 from 1900)
0.01125
1900968
(-307 from 1899)
8
(-2 from 1899)
0.00493
1899661
(-50 from 1898)
10
(-3 from 1898)
0.00868
1898611
(-27 from 1897)
13
No change from 1897
0.00984
1897584
(+194 from 1896)
13
(+4 from 1896)
0.01066
1896778
(-39 from 1895)
9
No change from 1895
0.00697
1895739
(-9 from 1894)
9
No change from 1894
0.00711
1894730
(-115 from 1893)
9
(-2 from 1893)
0.00721
1893615
(-43 from 1892)
11
(-2 from 1892)
0.00909
1892572
(+63 from 1891)
13
(+4 from 1891)
0.00989
1891635
(-54 from 1889)
9
(-2 from 1889)
0.00824
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1889581
(+340 from 1887)
11
(+6 from 1887)
0.00924
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1887921
(-163 from 1886)
5
(-2 from 1886)
0.00457
1886758
(+185 from 1882)
7
(+2 from 1882)
0.00588
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1882943
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00410
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
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)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3832021#3102022#3022023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#5272021#3882022#3622023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5602021#4712022#4382023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3792021#4512022#3962023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3922021#3802022#4572023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2952021#2252022#3982023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#8352021#4622022#4842023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4962021#7412022#4822023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3402021#2502022#2802023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6062021#5452022#5402023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#9222021#7322022#5292023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#3622021#3232022#3712023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#7882019#7862020#9342022

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3512021#4262022#4422023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4052021#4252022#4132023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#6292021#4482022#5292023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#4512021#5492022#4372023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#8482020#6612022#7592023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#6282021#6462022#7142023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3312020#4282021#5522023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5782021#4692022#3812023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2082021#1932022#2282023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#8812021#11522022#9002023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#7422021#7532022#7242023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#9172021#6922022#6342023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3161936#5672009#5522015

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6081993#6652001#6332005

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3461990#2271991#2781992

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4372020#6302021#4582023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3912021#5582022#2822023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6042021#8292022#6252023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5352021#5772022#4722023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#7642019#6922021#4522023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4242017#4182018#3502021

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6072014#5682020#7562022

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6642020#7492022#4992023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1411932#1071940#2862018

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3131989#6462023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2211922#1871923

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4182023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4272015

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2172011

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1962023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth 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 flagQuebec, Canada#142020#152021#182022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#202020#202021#242022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#392021#372022#362023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#802015#1052016#1512017

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1312020#1112021#1042022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1762019#1822020#1802021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2372021#2452022#4602023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4142021#4542022#2682023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3462021#2782022#3122023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3652018#3652019#3262021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#5982019#3702020#4592022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4362006#4902014#4422017

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#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

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.

Similar Names to Raphael

Sibling Names for Raphael

Parents Who Like the Name Raphael Also Like

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Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator