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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rafaela

Rafaela

♀ Girl

Pronounced rah-fah-EH-lah /ˌræfɑˈɛlɑ/High

Meaning: God has healed; the feminine form of Rafael, from Hebrew Rafa'el meaning God has healed, via the archangel RaphaelHigh

In 30 seconds: Rafaela is the flowing feminine form of Rafael, carrying the powerful biblical meaning God has healed from the archangel Raphael through Spanish and Italian into a stately four-syllable name.
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Origin HighHebrew, Italian, Spanish
MeaningGod has healed; the feminine form of Rafael, from Hebrew Rafa'el meaning God has healed, via the archangel Raphael
U.S. rank (2025)#2922 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births58 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2011
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,514

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201118872025

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

The name traces to the Hebrew Rafa'el, composed of the elements rapa (to heal) and El (God). The archangel Raphael was venerated across the Abrahamic traditions, and the name spread through Catholic Spain, Portugal, and Italy, generating feminine forms including Rafaela, Raffaella, and Raphaelle.

In Latin America, Rafaela has been in continuous use since the colonial era, common in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. There is even a city named Rafaela in Santa Fe Province, Argentina, founded in the 19th century. The Italian double-l form Raffaella is associated with the famous Italian singer Raffaella Carrà.

Did you know? The archangel Raphael is the divine healer in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions — appearing in the Book of Tobit, where he restores Tobit's sight — making this one of the most spiritually potent name meanings in any language.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Rafaela — etymology from Hebrew Rafa'elSSA Baby Names — U.S. usage data

Variations

RaffaellaRaphaelleRaphaelaRafaelle

Nicknames

RafaRafEllaFae

Famous Bearers

  • ★Rafaela Aponte-Diamant (1945–present)
    Israeli-born billionaire businesswoman who co-founded the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world's largest container shipping lines.

If you like Rafaela…

Gabriela— shares the -ela suffix, Hebrew origin, and angelic association
Mikaela— fellow four-syllable Hebrew-origin feminine name
Isabela— same Spanish tradition, -ela ending, and elegant length
Ariela— another Hebrew name
Annabella— shares Rafaela's Hebrew roots

Explore names like Rafaela

By themehebrewspanishbiblicalitalianlatin-americanfour-syllableangelic
By meaningGod / DivineHealing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rafaela mean?

Rafaela means God has healed, as the feminine form of Rafael, derived from the Hebrew name of the healing archangel Raphael.

How do you pronounce Rafaela?

Rafaela is pronounced rah-fah-EH-lah, four syllables with stress on the third.

Is Rafaela a boy or girl name?

Rafaela is the feminine form of Rafael and is used exclusively as a girls name.

How popular is Rafaela?

Rafaela is popular in Latin American countries, particularly Argentina and Brazil, and is gaining visibility in the United States among Hispanic communities.

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