The nameRaphael
Raphael is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God heals". The name of an archangel and a Renaissance master, it is a leading name in France.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Raphael comes from the Hebrew Rephael, "God has healed".
Origin
Hebrew. In the Book of Tobit, the archangel Raphael guides and protects Tobias.
History
Raphael, the Italian painter of the Renaissance, made the name famous. It has been a top name in France and reached the top 150 in England and Wales.
Raphael in other languages
Raphaël is the French spelling of Raphael. It is Raffaele and Raffaello in Italian, Rafael in Spanish and Portuguese, Rafał in Polish and Refael in Hebrew.
Nicknames for Raphael
The most common nicknames for Raphael: Rafe, Raff and Rafa.
Did you know?
- Raphael's fresco The School of Athens, in the Vatican, brings together Plato, Aristotle and the great Greek thinkers.
- The four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are named after Renaissance artists: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael.
Famous people named Raphael
- Saint Raphael the Archangel
- Raphael, painter
- Raphaël Varane, footballer
- Raphael, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Popularity of the name Raphael
Raphael in the United States
Raphael was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 4,718 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Raphael. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Raphael in the United States were born before 1996. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 636 births a year on average, against 544 in the five years before.
Raphael in the United Kingdom
Raphael was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 2,493 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Raphael. Half of all babies named Raphael in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 335 births a year on average, against 288 in the five years before.
Raphael in France
Raphael in Belgium
Raphael in Switzerland
Raphael in Austria
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Raphael
Names from the same generation as Raphael, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Raphael? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Raphael with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Raphael side by side with the name of your choice.
Raphael in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raphael mean?
Raphael comes from the Hebrew Rephael, "God has healed".
What is the origin of the name Raphael?
Hebrew. In the Book of Tobit, the archangel Raphael guides and protects Tobias.
Is Raphael a girl's or a boy's name?
Raphael is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Raphael?
In 2024, Raphael was the 421st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 744 births.
What are the variants of the name Raphael?
Variants and related names of Raphael include Rafael and Raphaële.
What are good sibling names for Raphael?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Maryam, Jane, Mariam and Elia for a sister, Ibrahim, Yusuf, Samson and Amos for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Raphael?
The most common nicknames for Raphael are Rafe, Raff and Rafa.
Who are famous people named Raphael?
Saint Raphael the Archangel; Raphael, painter; Raphaël Varane, footballer; Raphael, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.