How Many People Are Named Rafael?

Complete statistics for the name Rafael: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Rafael
Rare
Hebrew

Rafael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God has healed,' and it's carried by around 78,752 people living in the US today. That makes it genuinely rare, showing up in just 1 in 4,190 Americans. Its strongest years came in the 2000s, making it a name you're much more likely to meet on a younger face than an older one.

~3,676
Living in US
1 in 90,166
Americans
2006
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
God has healed
🌐
Origin
Hebrew
🌟
Lucky Day
Wednesday
💎
Lucky Stone
Topaz
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 7
Personality Traits
Compassionate Artistic Intuitive Warm
7
Life Path Number

The number 7 is traditionally linked to deep thinking, spiritual awareness, and a search for inner truth. People associated with 7 are thought to be analytical and reflective, drawn to uncovering what lies beneath the surface.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

366,374
Worldwide Bearers
#151
Global Rank
🇦🇷 Argentina
70,493
🇵🇪 Peru
52,142
🇪🇨 Ecuador
32,460
🇷🇺 Russia
32,430
🇦🇴 Angola
29,691
🇨🇱 Chile
26,390
🇧🇴 Bolivia
16,725
🇵🇾 Paraguay
14,287
🇵🇹 Portugal
14,048
🇮🇩 Indonesia
8,864

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
78,235 (99%)
♀ Female
517 (1%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 36
39,653
Would be under 30 (45%)
35,319
Would be 30–60 (40%)
13,322
Would be over 60 (15%)

All 88,294 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 2006

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Stable

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
99
Classic Feel
42
Modern Appeal
78
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Rafael Through the Generations

Rafael has a tighter story than most names its size. With 88,294 all-time US births but 78,752 estimated living today, the gap is relatively small, which tells you this name didn't have big historical waves that have since aged out. It's a newer-generation name that built its following gradually and peaked in 2006 with 1,710 births in a single year. The age breakdown confirms it: 45% of all Rafaels, some 39,653 people, are under 30. That's a heavy lean toward youth. Another 35,319 sit in the 30-60 range, and just 13,322 are over 60, so older generations barely touched it. The average age of 36 reflects that modern skew. The trend is stable right now, meaning Rafael isn't fading, it just found its level. It's a name that feels current without chasing trends.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

California 23,798
Texas 16,347
New York 12,322
Florida 4,667
Illinois 4,401
New Jersey 2,894
Arizona 2,725
Massachusetts 1,535
Pennsylvania 1,252
Georgia 1,185

⭐ Famous People Named Rafael

Rafael is a masculine given name. It is a Portuguese and Spanish form of the Hebrew name Raphael. It translates to "God has healed" and "God heals" in Hebrew. Notable people with the name include:…

Full list on Wikipedia →

✨ Similar Names to Rafael

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Rafael's Hebrew roots

📄 About the Name Rafael

How Many People Have the Name Rafael?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 3,676 people in the United States currently share the name Rafael. That works out to roughly 1 in every 90,166 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.

Is Rafael a Common or Rare Name?

Rafael is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Rafael Mean?

Rafael means "God has healed" and comes from Hebrew origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Rafael in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.

When Was Rafael Most Popular?

The name Rafael reached peak popularity in 2006, with 1,710 babies registered that year. Current trend: Stable.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Rafael?

Approximately 3,676 people named Rafael live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 3,676. That works out to roughly 1 in 90,166 Americans.

Is Rafael a rare name?

Rafael is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 90,166 Americans has this name.

What does the name Rafael mean?

Rafael means "God has healed" and comes from Hebrew origins.

Is Rafael more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Rafael are male and 1% are female.

When was Rafael most popular?

Rafael peaked in 2006 with 1,710 births that year. Current trend: Stable.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US3,676
All-Time Births3,676
1 in X1 in 90,166
RarityRare
GenderMale
Avg Age36
Peak Year2006
World Rank#151
Male %99%
Female %1%

Check the statistics for any first or last name

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.