Holding steady, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Rafferty since 1987
Babies named Rafferty per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 71 |
| 2010s | 98 |
| 2020s | 94 |
Meaning & origin
Rafferty is an Irish surname turned given name, with a meaning rooted in prosperity and abundance. While it has been used sporadically since the 1980s, its popularity peaked in 2024 and remained relatively stable into 2025, ranking 6143rd. It is a rare choice, occurring for roughly 1 in every 122,005 births, and has yet to break into the top baby names in any state. The name carries a strong Irish heritage and offers a distinctive alternative to more common Irish imports like Liam or Finn.
Rafferty is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Rabhartaigh, meaning 'descendant of Rabhartach'. The personal name Rabhartach is derived from the Gaelic word 'rabhartach', signifying 'prosperous' or 'flood tide'. Originally a surname, it has seen occasional use as a given name, particularly in modern times, and is associated with qualities of abundance and prosperity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Raff, Raffy
Sibling names for Rafferty
Names that share Rafferty's style, for a brother or sister.
