Rafael Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Rafael is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Rafael?
Rafael is spelled R-A-F-A-E-L. The name has 6 letters.
Rafael at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Rafael means “God has healed” or “God heals.”
- Origin
- Rafael is a name of Hebrew origin commonly associated with the archangel Raphael in religious traditions.
- Pronunciation
- rah-fye-EL · 3 syllables
Rafael Popularity in 2025
Rank#218
Recorded Births1,639
- Boys usage rose 4 places to #218 and recorded 18 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Rafael Mean?
Rafael means “God has healed” or “God heals.”
Origin: Rafael is a name of Hebrew origin commonly associated with the archangel Raphael in religious traditions.
How Do You Pronounce Rafael?
Pronunciationrah-fye-EL
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Rafael?
- History
- Rafael has been used in various cultures with religious significance, especially within Jewish, Christian, and Islamic contexts where the archangel Raphael is recognized.
Rafael Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2005 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 1,639 | #218 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,621 | #222 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,517 | #231 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,517 | #232 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,490 | #237 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,424 | #246 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,392 | #261 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,405 | #258 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,282 | #283 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,238 | #291 |
| 2015 | Boys | 1,226 | #293 |
| 2014 | Boys | 1,205 | #293 |
| 2013 | Boys | 1,208 | #287 |
| 2012 | Boys | 1,231 | #286 |
| 2011 | Boys | 1,274 | #274 |
| 2010 | Boys | 1,333 | #257 |
| 2009 | Girls | 7 | #13,704 |
| 2009 | Boys | 1,345 | #257 |
| 2008 | Girls | 6 | #15,405 |
| 2008 | Boys | 1,541 | #240 |
| 2007 | Boys | 1,622 | #228 |
| 2006 | Girls | 8 | #12,420 |
| 2006 | Boys | 1,702 | #217 |
| 2005 | Girls | 5 | #16,462 |
When Was Rafael Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2006 · Boys
1,702 recorded births
National rank #217
2025 · Boys
1,639 recorded births
National rank #218
2007 · Boys
1,622 recorded births
National rank #228
2024 · Boys
1,621 recorded births
National rank #222
Where Rafael Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| DC | #55 | 14 |
| CA | #127 | 323 |
| TX | #133 | 295 |
| NY | #160 | 119 |
| MA | #161 | 42 |
| AZ | #162 | 55 |
| RI | #177 | 6 |
| FL | #179 | 124 |