How to say it
RA · pha · el
ˈrɑː.fi.ɛl
Masculine
Raphael
God has healed
What it means
Hebrew, 'God has healed,' the name of the archangel of healing.
Raphael is Hebrew for 'God has healed,' the archangel who restores and guides, named alongside Michael and Gabriel. The Renaissance painter Raphael added artistic luster, and the name runs across Europe and Latin America. This ph-spelling is the Italian and English form; Rafael is the Spanish. Rafa and Raph are the shorts.
How to spell Raphael
The standard spelling is Raphael. Common variants include Rafael, Raffaele, Rafa, but Raphael is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #394 in 2025, currently #394 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Raphael and the Spanish Rafael are the same name.
- Pop culture
The archangel of healing, and the Renaissance master Raphael.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Raphael Renaissance painter of the Italian High Renaissance
- the Archangel Raphael the healing archangel of scripture and tradition
Spelling variants
- Rafael
- Raffaele
- Rafa
Names with the same feeling
See Raphael from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Raphael mean?
- Hebrew, 'God has healed,' the name of the archangel of healing.
- What does Raphael mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Raphael means "God has healed." Raphael is Hebrew for 'God has healed,' the archangel who restores and guides, named alongside Michael and Gabriel. The Renaissance painter Raphael added artistic luster, and the name runs across Europe and Latin America. This ph-spelling is the Italian and English form; Rafael is the Spanish. Rafa and Raph are the shorts.
- How do you pronounce Raphael?
- Raphael is pronounced ˈrɑː.fi.ɛl. Say it as RA-pha-el, with the stress on the "ra" syllable.
- How do you spell Raphael?
- The standard spelling is Raphael. Common spelling variants include Rafael, Raffaele, Rafa.
- Is Raphael a boy or girl name?
- Raphael is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Raphael?
- Raphael ranked #394 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.