Paul vs Rafael

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Paul

Boy #264 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"small, humble"

Origin: Latin Paulus

Cultural Roots

Latin Christian English French German Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#264
Total SSA Count
1,320
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Paul →

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

Paul Rank #264
Rafael Rank #222

Rafael is more popular, ranked #222 vs #264 for Paul.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Paul ___

  • Paul James
  • Paul Michael
  • Paul David
  • Paul Anthony
  • Paul Andrew
  • Paul Edward

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 Paul

Peter John Mary Elizabeth Mark

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 Paul or Rafael more popular?

Rafael is more popular, ranked #222 compared to Paul at #264 in the United States.

What do Paul and Rafael mean?

Paul means "small, humble" (Latin Paulus origin). Rafael means "God has healed" (Hebrew origin).

Are Paul and Rafael boy or girl names?

Paul is primarily a boy name. Rafael is primarily a boy name.

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