The first name Raphael
A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “god cures/has healed”.
Pronounced /ˌɹɑ.faɪˈɛl/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Hebrew origin
Raphael means “god cures/has healed” in Hebrew.
From Latin Raphael, from Koine Greek Ῥᾱφᾱήλ (Rhāphāḗl), from Biblical Hebrew רָפָאֵל (Rāfāʾēl, literally “God cures/has healed”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 368 boys were named Raphael, making it the 142nd most popular boys’ name.
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Raphael with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Raphael at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 807 boys born in the United States were named Raphael, the 394th most popular boys’ name that year.
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.
Raphael in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Raphael in German and Latin too.
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Raphael
89 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Raphaël VaraneFrench footballer (born 1993)
- Raphaël GuerreiroFrench-Portuguese footballer, born 1993
- Anton Raphael MengsGerman-Bohemian painter active in Dresden, Rome and Madrid (1728-1779)
- Raphael WarnockAmerican pastor and politician (born 1969)
- Raphaël PoiréeFrench biathlete, born 1974
- Raphael BottiBrazilian association football player, born 1981
- Raphaël GlucksmannFrench film director, journalist and politician, born 1979
- Raphael VeigaBrazilian association football player, born 1995
- Raphael SbargeAmerican actor and filmmaker, born 1964
- Raphael ClausBrazilian referee, born 1979
- Raphael HolinshedEnglish chronicler, 1529–1573
- Raphael SchäferGerman footballer, born 1979
More Hebrew boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Raphael mean?
- Raphael means “god cures/has healed” in Hebrew.
- What is the origin of the name Raphael?
- From Latin Raphael, from Koine Greek Ῥᾱφᾱήλ (Rhāphāḗl), from Biblical Hebrew רָפָאֵל (Rāfāʾēl, literally “God cures/has healed”).
- How popular is the name Raphael?
- In 2025, 368 boys born in England and Wales were named Raphael, ranking 142nd.
- What are nicknames for Raphael?
- Common nicknames for Raphael include Rafa, Rafe, Raph.
- Is Raphael a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 24,581 US babies named Raphael since 1880 were boys.
- When was Raphael most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 807 babies were named Raphael, its highest rank at 394th.
- How do you pronounce Raphael?
- Raphael is /ˌɹɑ.faɪˈɛl/, 3 syllables.
- What are other spellings of Raphael?
- Rafael.
- Is Raphael also a surname?
- Yes. Raphael is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.