Rafa Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationRAH-fah / /ˈrɑː.fɑː/Hebrew; Spanish
Meaning
God has healed (Hebrew); short form of Rafael (Spanish)
Historical & Cultural Background
In Hebrew, Rafa is derived from 'rapha', meaning to heal, often associated with divine healing. In Spanish-speaking cultures, Rafa is commonly a diminutive of Rafael, a name that has biblical roots, referring to the archangel Raphael, who is known as a healer.
Similar Names
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Variants
- Rafael
- Rafaelo
- Raf
International Variants
- Rafael (Spanish)
- Raphaël (French)
- Rafał (Polish)
Famous people named Rafa
Rafa Nadal — professional tennis player.
Rafa Benítez — football manager.
Fictional characters named Rafa
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Rafa was first seen in the United States in 2011. Rafa has ranked as high as #1356 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California. In the past 5 years the name Rafa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Rafa (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 17 |