Boy name · Hebrew
Rafael
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: God healsRafael is a boy's name that comes from Hebrew and means "God heals". It is used in Spanish and Portuguese.
- Meaning
- God heals
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- rah-fah-EL (Spanish)
Meaning and origin of Rafael
As a boy's name, Rafael comes from Hebrew and means "God heals". It is used in Spanish and Portuguese.
In Spanish, say rah-fah-EL. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Rafael on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Rafael on 3 lists.
“God heals; Spanish and Portuguese form of Raphael”
From Angelic names, archangel names for boys
“God heals; Hebrew. Spanish and Portuguese form of Raphael”
From Classic boy names, classic boy names from around the world
“God heals; Hebrew. Tennis great Nadal. Say rah-fah-EL”
From Spanish boy names, names of famous Spaniards
How popular is Rafael?
- US rank in 2025
- #218
- 1,639 babies, 960 per million boys
- Best rank
- #195 in 1985
- Most babies: 1,702 in 2006
- Babies since 1880
- At least 89,379
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 59 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 74 per million |
| 1900s | 127 per million |
| 1910s | 91 per million |
| 1920s | 154 per million |
| 1930s | 133 per million |
| 1940s | 123 per million |
| 1950s | 196 per million |
| 1960s | 326 per million |
| 1970s | 581 per million |
| 1980s | 665 per million |
| 1990s | 738 per million |
| 2000s | 753 per million |
| 2010s | 680 per million |
| 2020s | 889 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #291 | #283 | #258 | #261 | #247 | #237 | #232 | #231 | #222 | #218 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Nicknames for Rafael
Established short forms and pet names, not made-up ones.
- Rafatraditional short form (Spanish)
Other forms of Rafael
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- LelloGod heals (Hebrew, boy)
- RafailGod heals (Hebrew, boy)
- RafałGod heals (Hebrew, boy)
- RaffaeleGod heals (Hebrew, boy)
- RaphaelGod heals (Hebrew, boy)
- RefaelGod heals (Hebrew, boy)
Names spelled like Rafael
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- RafeWolf counsel (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- RafaelaGod heals (Hebrew, girl)
- RaffaellaGod heals (Hebrew, girl)
- RaphaelaGod heals (Hebrew, girl)
- RaphaëlleGod heals (Hebrew, girl)
Middle names for Rafael
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- BenjaminSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Rafael: common questions
What does the name Rafael mean?
Rafael comes from Hebrew and means "God heals".
Is Rafael a boy or girl name?
Rafael is mainly a boy's name.
What are nicknames for Rafael?
Common nicknames for Rafael include Rafa.
How do you pronounce Rafael?
In Spanish, say rah-fah-EL. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Rafael?
Rafael ranked #218 in the US in 2025, with 1,639 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Rafael?
Forms of Rafael with the same meaning and origin include Lello (Italian), Rafail (Russian), Rafał (Polish), Raffaele (Italian) and Raphael (English).
What middle names go with Rafael?
Middle names that flow well with Rafael include Alton, Basil, Dale, Eli and Lamar. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.