Rising since 1985, #394 for boys today.
Popularity of Raphael since 1882
Babies named Raphael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 28 |
| 1890s | 96 |
| 1900s | 136 |
| 1910s | 767 |
| 1920s | 1,001 |
| 1930s | 688 |
| 1940s | 655 |
| 1950s | 893 |
| 1960s | 1,107 |
| 1970s | 1,762 |
| 1980s | 2,286 |
| 1990s | 2,952 |
| 2000s | 3,173 |
| 2010s | 4,722 |
| 2020s | 3,992 |
Meaning & origin
Raphael has ranked among the top 1,000 names for boys in the United States since 1882. After a long period of moderate use, it has been rising steadily since 1985, reaching its peak rank of 394 in 2025. Currently about 1 in 2,117 boys are named Raphael, reflecting a growing preference for this archangelic name. It is most popular in the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, and New York. Raphael's appeal spans multiple cultures: it is common among Jewish, Catholic, and secular families alike, and its classic sound makes it a strong, enduring choice.
Raphael derives from the Hebrew name רְפָאֵל (Rafa'el), combining rafa 'he healed' and El 'God'. In the Hebrew Bible, Raphael is one of the archangels who appears in the Book of Tobit as a healer. The name has been used throughout Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions; in Islam, he is known as Israfil. It has seen particular favor in Catholic communities, especially in Italy and Spain, where it became a given name during the Renaissance. In English-speaking countries, Raphael has been used since the 16th century, boosted by the fame of the painter Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio).
Where Raphael is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Raphael” around the world
Where Raphael lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#2
in 2024
Ireland
7
babies in 2025
New Zealand
18
babies in 2025
Quebec
#16
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rafe, Raph, Rafi
Sibling names for Raphael
Names that share Raphael's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Gabriella, Michaela, Sophia, Isabella, Ariella, Arielle, Anais, Denisse, Evangelina, Gisselle, Laryssa, Melanee, Sabine, Emmanuelle, Josephina, Marielle, Paulene, Serafina, Seraphina, Angelis, Ariell, Aryelle, Delphina, Emanuelle, Erielle, Estee, Gabryelle, Jaquetta, Mishelle, Ondrea, Raphaela, Seraphine, Abigaelle, Adriella, Ambriel, Anael, Angelik, Angelyne, Arrielle, Aurielle, Azrielle, Chandelle, Gabrelle, Geselle, Gyselle, Joselle, Raguel, Regine, Rochella, Sabrine, Seraphim, Annaelle, Carmeline, Celines, Armenia, Camelle, Charmelle, Gavrielle, Jisele, Marinette, Michaelina, Pavielle, Raphaella, Sophonie, Velencia
Brothers: Gabriel, Michael, Elias, Julian, Sebastian, Uriel, Adrien, Amadeus, Domenic, Marcell, Aviel, Azrael, Gadiel, Michaelangelo, Mickael, Olivier, Oziel, Uziel, Angelus, Aniel, Cassiel, Haniel, Luciel, Mikhael, Yeriel, Zacharie, Zadkiel, Amenadiel, Azariel, Azreal, Daviel, Galileo, Hadriel, Huriel, Remiel, Samael, Timothee, Davinci, Emmanuell, Marsel, Nuriel, Ramiel, Sariel, Sebastyan
Names like Raphael
Names whose popularity has moved with Raphael's over the last 50 years.
