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At a Glance: Name: Rafael – Meaning: God has healed – Origin: Hebrew (via Spanish/Portuguese form of Raphael) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: rah-fah-EL
Rafael is a Hebrew name meaning "God has healed," reaching English through the Spanish and Portuguese form of Raphael. It's pronounced rah-fah-EL, and it fits the classic era while carrying a global, well-traveled feel. For parents wanting a name with real linguistic roots and long-standing use, Rafael is one to consider.
Meaning & Origin of Rafael
Meaning: God has healed.
Origin: Hebrew (via Spanish/Portuguese form of Raphael).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Rafael
Phonetic: rah-fah-EL IPA: /rɑːfɑːˈɛl/
Popularity of Rafael
Rafael has been recorded in Social Security data since 1880, peaking at #195 in 1985 with 1,250 babies given the name that year. In 2024 it ranked #222 with 1,614 babies, showing it's still in steady use today.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Rafael Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Rafael, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Rafael mean?
God has healed. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Rafael)
How do you pronounce Rafael?
Rafael is pronounced rah-fah-EL (IPA: /rɑːfɑːˈɛl/).
Is Rafael a popular name right now?
Rafael is near its all-time peak (#195 in 1985), ranked #222 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
📊 How popular is Rafael? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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