Holding steady, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Raffael since 1980
Babies named Raffael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 21 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 58 |
Meaning & origin
Raffael is an Italian and German variant of Raphael, a name with deep biblical roots as one of the seven archangels. In the United States, Raffael has been recorded since 1980 but has always been uncommon. Its best year was 2024, when it ranked 8,243rd, with a 1-in-189,786 frequency. The name's trajectory has been stable over the past decade, never experiencing a dramatic spike. While not among the top names in any state, Raffael appeals to families drawn to traditional religious names with a European flair. Its Italian form connects to a rich cultural heritage, often chosen by those with Italian or German ancestry.
Raffael is an Italian and German form of Raphael, which comes from the Hebrew name Repha'el meaning 'God has healed.' In the Bible, Raphael is one of the archangels, appearing in the Book of Tobit as a healer and guide. The name has been used across Christian and Jewish cultures for centuries, with the Italian variant Raffael becoming particularly common in Renaissance Italy.
“Raffael” around the world
Where Raffael lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Raff, Raffa, El
Sibling names for Raffael
Names that share Raffael's style, for a brother or sister.
