Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Raphael
BoyHebrew· “God has healed”
- Meaning
- God has healed
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- RAF-ee-el
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #394
- US babies 2025
- 807
- Best rank
- #394 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Raphael
Raphael is a Hebrew name that means “God has healed”.
Raphael is a Hebrew name meaning God has healed. Raphael is one of the archangels, appearing in the Book of Tobit, where he guides Tobias on a journey and heals his father's blindness. The Renaissance painter Raphael of Urbino made the name famous in art, and his works remain among the best known in Western painting. The name is used across Europe and Latin America, with Rafael the Spanish and Portuguese form. Raphael has an artistic, spiritual feel. Rafe and Rafi are friendly nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rafael.
Popularity over time
Raphael first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 136 different years, starting in 1886. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #394, and its highest count, 807 babies. Use has grown 51% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #626 in 1920, #848 in 1950, #692 in 1980, #619 in 2000, #653 in 2010, and #394 in 2025. Of the 24,258 US boys named Raphael since records began, 19% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 3,992 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Marcelo, Kieran, Kian, Elio, and Augustus.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Raphael ranked highest in District of Columbia, New York, and Rhode Island.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #136 | 7 |
| New York | #219 | 90 |
| Rhode Island | #226 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #285 | 21 |
| New Jersey | #289 | 31 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Raphael is usually pronounced RAF-ee-el, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with R and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rafael.
Middle names for Raphael
A few middle names that flow with Raphael: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Raphael
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Lists that include Raphael
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raphael mean?
Raphael is a Hebrew name that means “God has healed”.
What is the origin of the name Raphael?
Raphael has Hebrew roots. Raphael is a Hebrew name meaning God has healed.
Is Raphael a popular name?
Yes. Raphael ranked #394 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Raphael a boy or girl name?
Raphael is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Raphael?
Raphael is usually pronounced RAF-ee-el. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings