The first name Rafael
A boy’s name.
3 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 266 boys were named Rafael, making it the 189th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2021, with 289 births (#188).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Rafael with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Rafael at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 1,639 boys born in the United States were named Rafael, the 218th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2006, when 1,702 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Rafael
- Raf
Famous people named Rafael
159 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Jorge Rafael VidelaArgentina de facto president (1925–2013)
- Rafael van der VaartDutch association football player (born 1983)
- Rafael Pereira da SilvaBrazilian footballer (born 1990)
- Rafael CabralBrazilian association football player, born 1990
- Rafael GrossiArgentine diplomat, born 1961
- Rafael VittiBrazilian actor, born 1995
- Rafael KubelikCzech conductor, violinist and composer (1914–1996)
- Rafael BastosBrazilian association football player, born 1985
- Rafael SóbisBrazilian footballer, born 1985
- Rafael CasanovaCatalan lawyer and politician, 1660–1743
- Rafael PaasioFinnish politician (1903-1980)
- Rafael NúñezAuthor, lawyer, journalist, politician and President of Colombia (1825-1894)
Questions
- What does the name Rafael mean?
- Compare Spanish Rafael, Portuguese Rafael.
- How popular is the name Rafael?
- In 2025, 266 boys born in England and Wales were named Rafael, ranking 189th. Its peak was 2021, with 289 births.
- What are nicknames for Rafael?
- Common nicknames for Rafael include Raf.
- Is Rafael a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 89,947 US babies named Rafael since 1880 were boys.
- When was Rafael most popular?
- 2006 in the United States, when 1,702 babies were named Rafael, its highest rank at 217th.
- What name is Rafael a form of?
- Rafael is a form of Raphael.
- Is Rafael also a surname?
- Yes. Rafael is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.