Charles vs Rafael

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Rafael

Boy #222 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"God has healed"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Spanish Portuguese Italian Hebrew English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#222
Total SSA Count
1,614
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Rafa, Ray

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rafael →

Popularity Comparison

Charles Rank #51
Rafael Rank #222

Charles is more popular, ranked #51 vs #222 for Rafael.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Charles ___

  • Charles James
  • Charles William
  • Charles Edward
  • Charles Henry
  • Charles Robert
  • Charles Thomas

Rafael ___

  • Rafael Andres
  • Rafael Miguel
  • Rafael Antonio
  • Rafael Luis
  • Rafael Carlos
  • Rafael Eduardo

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Charles

George Henry Edward Alice Eleanor

If you choose Rafael

Isabella Valentina Gabriel Santiago Lucia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charles or Rafael more popular?

Charles is more popular, ranked #51 compared to Rafael at #222 in the United States.

What do Charles and Rafael mean?

Charles means "free man" (Germanic origin). Rafael means "God has healed" (Hebrew origin).

Are Charles and Rafael boy or girl names?

Charles is primarily a boy name. Rafael is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Charles ← Full profile: Rafael Browse all baby names