Ishmael vs Rafe

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Rafe

Boy #1,311 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God has healed"

Origin: Hebrew via English

Cultural Roots

English British Jewish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,311
Total SSA Count
148
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rafe →

Popularity Comparison

Ishmael Rank #1,498
Rafe Rank #1,311

Rafe is more popular, ranked #1311 vs #1498 for Ishmael.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ishmael ___

  • Ishmael James
  • Ishmael Elias
  • Ishmael David
  • Ishmael Noah
  • Ishmael Samuel
  • Ishmael Abraham

Rafe ___

  • Rafe Edward
  • Rafe Henry
  • Rafe James
  • Rafe William
  • Rafe Oliver
  • Rafe George

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ishmael

Isaac Elijah Samuel Sarah Miriam

If you choose Rafe

Hugo Otto Felix Cecily Imogen

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 Ishmael or Rafe more popular?

Rafe is more popular, ranked #1311 compared to Ishmael at #1498 in the United States.

What do Ishmael and Rafe mean?

Ishmael means "God will hear" (Hebrew origin). Rafe means "God has healed" (Hebrew via English origin).

Are Ishmael and Rafe boy or girl names?

Ishmael is primarily a boy name. Rafe is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Ishmael ← Full profile: Rafe Browse all baby names