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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rafa

Rafa

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Rafa

Pronounced RAH-fah /ˈrɑ.fɑ/Medium

Meaning: A pet form of Rafael — from Hebrew Refael, 'God has healed; God heals'; here for boysMedium

In 30 seconds: God has healed: Rafa pets Rafael — 'God has healed'. Sunny, lively, and warm (said 'RAH-fah').
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Origin MediumHebrew, Spanish
MeaningA pet form of Rafael — from Hebrew Refael, 'God has healed; God heals'; here for boys
U.S. rank (2024)#5586 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births17 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 121

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320112024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Rafa is a pet form of Rafael — from Hebrew Refael, 'God has healed; God heals' (the archangel Raphael, the divine healer). A sunny, lively, beloved short name across the Spanish-speaking world (the tennis legend Rafa Nadal; the footballer Rafa; said 'RAH-fah'). Here covered for boys (slug distinguished).

In the U.S. it appears in Latino families. Rare, God-has-healed at the root, and lively.

Did you know? Rafael means 'God has healed; God heals' (Hebrew Refael, the archangel of healing) — Rafa is its sunny, lively short form (the tennis champion Rafa Nadal; said 'RAH-fah').
Overall data confidence 68%
Behind the Name — Rafael — root etymology

Variations

RafaelRafeRaffa

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Rafa…

Rafael— the full name
Rafe— a fellow short form
Rafi— a companion pet form
Ronen— lands in the same popularity range
Rico— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Rafa

By themehebrewspanishnickname-name
By meaningGod / DivineHealing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rafa mean?

Rafa pets Rafael — Hebrew 'God has healed; God heals'.

How do you pronounce Rafa?

It's said RAH-fah /ˈrɑ.fɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rafa a boy or girl name?

Rafa is a boy's name (occasionally a girls' pet of Rafaela).

How popular is Rafa?

Rafa is a rare name in the U.S.

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