Holding steady, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Raffaele since 1908
Babies named Raffaele per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1969, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Raffaele's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 67 |
| 1920s | 46 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 21 |
| 1960s | 141 |
| 1970s | 193 |
| 1980s | 144 |
| 1990s | 130 |
| 2000s | 120 |
| 2010s | 121 |
| 2020s | 80 |
Meaning & origin
Raffaele is the Italian form of Raphael, a name firmly rooted in biblical tradition as one of the archangels. In the United States, it has been recorded since 1908, when it first appeared on the Social Security Administration's baby name list at rank 4857, its peak rank to date. As of 2025, the name remains rare, with an estimated 1 in 85,404 newborns receiving it, and its use has held stable over the decades. While never common, Raffaele has a consistent presence among Italian-American families, particularly in states like New Jersey. The name offers a distinctly Italian alternative to the more widespread Raphael, retaining the same angelic, healing meaning.
Raffaele is the Italian form of the Hebrew name Raphael, composed of 'rafa' (he has healed) and 'el' (God). The name appears in the Bible as one of the seven archangels in the Book of Tobit. It has been consistently used in Italy, particularly in the south, and is borne by several saints, including the 17th-century Saint Raffaele Arnáiz Barón.
Where Raffaele is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Raffaele” around the world
Where Raffaele 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: Raffa, Lele, Raffi
Sibling names for Raffaele
Names that share Raffaele's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Giulia, Francesca, Chiara, Martina, Alessandra, Ambra, Anella, Arietta, Brigida, Bruna, Giulianna, Leonarda, Marella, Rafaella, Violetta, Ginevra, Gioia, Marletta, Bellamia, Bellina, Donatella, Luciella, Telesia
Brothers: Matteo, Lorenzo, Alessandro, Gabriele, Simone, Frederico, Gennaro, Michelangelo, Pasquale, Rudolpho, Arthuro, Casanova, Cesario, Ilario, Joncarlo, Orazio, Carmino, Lenardo, Severino
