Holding steady.
Popularity of Raffaela since 1898
Babies named Raffaela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 30 |
| 1910s | 175 |
| 1920s | 221 |
| 1930s | 125 |
| 1940s | 75 |
| 1950s | 24 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 41 |
| 1980s | 18 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Raffaela is the Italian feminine form of the archangelic name Raphael, carrying the Hebrew meaning "God has healed." In the United States, it first appeared in Social Security records in 1898, reflecting early immigration from Italy. Its peak year in recorded usage was 1922, when it saw its highest number of newborn girls given the name, though it has never charted in the national top 1000. Over the decades, the name's trajectory has remained stable, with occasional low-frequency use. Raffaela is a traditional Italian name that, despite its rarity, offers a melodic alternative to more common variants like Raphaela or Rafaela.
Raffaela is the Italian feminine form of Raphael, derived from the Hebrew name Rafa'el, meaning "God has healed." Raphael is the name of an archangel in Judeo-Christian tradition, and the feminine form has been used in Italy since at least the 19th century. The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the early 20th century, particularly among Italian immigrant families.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Raffa, Ella, Laela
Sibling names for Raffaela
Names that share Raffaela's style, for a brother or sister.
