Rafael
Say it: RAF-ay-el
BoyMeans god has healed6 letters3 syllables
#329
in Ireland (2025)
#319 with spellings combined
12
babies in 2025
#297
best rank (2022)
204
babies since 2005
Down 11
10-year rank change
Rafael through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #319 |
| 2024 | 12 | #317 |
| 2023 | 12 | #319 |
| 2022 | 14 | #297 |
| 2021 | 13 | #315 |
| 2020 | 12 | #332 |
| 2019 | 11 | #341 |
| 2018 | 7 | #446 |
| 2017 | 6 | #495 |
| 2016 | 9 | #389 |
| 2015 | 14 | #308 |
| 2014 | 10 | #382 |
| 2013 | 10 | #383 |
| 2012 | 14 | #310 |
| 2011 | 12 | #342 |
| 2010 | 8 | #422 |
| 2009 | 11 | #337 |
| 2008 | 5 | #529 |
| 2007 | 4 | #527 |
| 2006 | 5 | #423 |
| 2005 | 3 | #518 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Rafael mean?
God has healed
Spanish and Portuguese form of Raphael, from Hebrew.
Say it right
RAFayel
In Spanish and Portuguese the stress falls at the end, ra-fa-EL.
The story of Rafael
Rafael is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Raphael, a Hebrew name that means “God has healed”. Raphael is one of the archangels in Jewish and Christian tradition, and the name has been used for centuries across southern Europe and Latin America. The tennis player Rafael Nadal made this spelling familiar well beyond the Spanish-speaking world.
In Ireland it is a newer name. It first reached the CSO list in 2005, and its busiest year was 2012, with 14 babies. Its best rank came later, at number 297 in 2022, and 12 boys were named Rafael in 2025.
The CSO counts Rafael and Raphael separately, so each spelling has its own page. In Northern Ireland it has been given since 2013, with its best rank of 234 in 2022.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Rafael (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Rafael (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Rafael | 12 | 204 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #234 (2022); 27 babies since 2013.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.