Raphael
Say it: RAF-ay-el/ˈɹæf.eɪ.əl/
BoyMeans god has healed7 letters3 syllables
#468
in Ireland (2025)
#453 with spellings combined
7
babies in 2025
#170
best rank (1965)
288
babies since 1965
Down 31
10-year rank change
Raphael through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #453 |
| 2024 | 10 | #360 |
| 2023 | 16 | #262 |
| 2022 | 7 | #438 |
| 2021 | 8 | #400 |
| 2020 | 5 | #528 |
| 2019 | 8 | #421 |
| 2018 | 7 | #446 |
| 2017 | 8 | #418 |
| 2016 | 3 | #713 |
| 2015 | 8 | #422 |
| 2014 | 3 | #715 |
| 2013 | 14 | #309 |
| 2012 | 6 | #500 |
| 2011 | 10 | #387 |
| 2010 | 6 | #491 |
| 2009 | 6 | #472 |
| 2008 | 7 | #444 |
| 2007 | 5 | #473 |
| 2006 | 7 | #355 |
| 2005 | 8 | #302 |
| 2004 | 6 | #352 |
| 2003 | 6 | #337 |
| 2002 | 6 | #313 |
| 2000 | 4 | #347 |
| 1999 | 3 | #379 |
| 1998 | 4 | #324 |
| 1990 | 3 | #323 |
| 1989 | 3 | #307 |
| 1987 | 5 | #249 |
| 1984 | 3 | #318 |
| 1981 | 4 | #292 |
| 1980 | 7 | #241 |
| 1979 | 3 | #324 |
| 1978 | 3 | #326 |
| 1977 | 3 | #333 |
| 1975 | 5 | #265 |
| 1974 | 4 | #288 |
| 1973 | 4 | #290 |
| 1972 | 9 | #207 |
| 1971 | 4 | #280 |
| 1970 | 5 | #251 |
| 1969 | 6 | #230 |
| 1968 | 5 | #222 |
| 1967 | 9 | #176 |
| 1966 | 7 | #185 |
| 1965 | 8 | #170 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Raphael mean?
God has healed
Hebrew Rāfāʾēl, through Greek and Latin.
Say it right
RAFayel
Some families say RAF-ee-el, and in Irish the name is written Rafael or Raiféal.
The story of Raphael
Raphael comes from the Hebrew Rāfāʾēl, meaning “God has healed”. It is the name of one of the archangels, honoured in Jewish, Christian and Muslim tradition. His best-known story is in the Book of Tobit, where he acts as a guide and healer. The book is part of the Bible for Catholics and Orthodox Christians but not for most Protestants.
The name travelled through Greek and Latin into most European languages, as Rafael in Spanish and Portuguese, Raffaele in Italian and Rafał in Polish. The Renaissance painter Raphael, Raffaello Sanzio of Urbino, made it famous in the world of art.
In Ireland Raphael has been given in small numbers throughout the CSO records. Its best rank was number 170 in 1965, while its busiest year was 2023, with 16 boys. In 2025, 7 boys were named Raphael.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Raphael (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Raphael (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
Raf
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Raphael | 7 | 288 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #326 (2021); 22 babies since 2009.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.
Raphael is also given to girls: 9 since 1964.