Holding steady.
Popularity of Raphel since 1921
Babies named Raphel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1991, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Raphel's real moment was 1923.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 18 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 8 |
| 1970s | 32 |
| 1980s | 65 |
| 1990s | 24 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Raphel is a rare variant of the archangelic name Raphael, with U.S. Social Security data showing it first recorded in 1921. Its peak year was 1923, after which usage declined, and it has not appeared in recent decades. The trajectory is stable, meaning no significant resurgence. As a biblical name, Raphel carries the meaning 'God has healed,' and its spelling variation distinguishes it from the more common Raphael. Though it never ranked in the top 1000, its association with the archangel gives it a timeless, spiritual quality.
Raphel is a variant spelling of Raphael, derived from the Hebrew name Refael (רְפָאֵל), meaning 'God has healed.' In the Hebrew 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, Jewish, and Islamic traditions, with the spelling Raphel emerging as a less common Anglicized form, particularly in the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Raph, Rafe
Sibling names for Raphel
Names that share Raphel's style, for a brother or sister.
