Rafael is a popular given name of Spanish origin, meaning 'God has healed'. It is derived from the Hebrew name Refael, which translates to 'It is God who heals'. This name has been widely used throughout history and has been adopted by various cultures worldwide. Rafael is often associated with the angel Raphael, one of the seven archangels in Abrahamic religions, who is known for his role as a healing agent. In literature, Rafael Sabatini's novel 'The Sea Hawk' introduced the character Rafael van Goffen to readers, further popularizing the name. Today, Rafael continues to be a beloved and respected name choice for boys.
The name Rafael has seen varying popularity over the years, with a notable spike occurring from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. The highest number of births recorded was 22 in 1977, and consistently high numbers were seen throughout the 1980s, reaching as high as 21 births in both 1989 and 1993. However, the popularity of the name has since declined, with fewer than 10 births recorded each year from 1995 onwards, and as low as 5 or 6 births per year in recent years. Overall, there have been a total of 569 births named Rafael between 1923 and 2009.