"God has healed"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Refael
Does Refael flow with your last name?
The healing archangel — a name of divine grace
Jewish
Israeli
Sephardic
Hebrew
Spiritual
Classic
Traditional
Elegant
Royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Refael
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Refael
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"divine healer, medicine of God"
Origin: Hebrew rafa + el
Language: Hebrew
"healing of God"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Aramaic
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Refael
See all →What the Refael report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Refael the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Refael
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Refael head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Refael actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Refael
Refael is the Hebrew spelling of Raphael, one of the principal angels in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition. The name combines two Hebrew elements: 'rafa' (רָפָא), meaning 'to heal,' and 'el' (אֵל), meaning 'God.' Together: 'God has healed' or 'divine healer.' In the Book of Tobit, Raphael is the angel who heals Tobit's blindness and guides Tobias on his journey — cementing his role as the celestial patron of healing and travelers.
Refael is the traditional Hebrew transliteration used in Israeli and Sephardic Jewish communities, as opposed to the Latinate 'Raphael' common in European and Catholic traditions. In Israel, Refael appears on civil registers and is a beloved traditional name. The name has seen renewed interest globally as parents seek authentic Hebrew spellings.
Raphael/Refael is one of the seven archangels recognized in Jewish tradition and one of only three named in the Hebrew Bible. His role as the healing angel makes Refael especially meaningful for families in the medical profession or those who have experienced illness and recovery. The name appears in the Dead Sea Scrolls and rabbinic literature.
Historical Record
Refael first appeared in US Social Security records in 1993.
Over 320 babies have been named Refael in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Refael is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,481 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Raphael is one of only three angels named in the Catholic Bible (with Michael and Gabriel)
- The Renaissance painter Raffaello Sanzio (Raphael) bears this name — one of the greatest artists in history
Refael in Other Languages
Arabic
رافائيل
French
Raphaël
German
Raphael
Hebrew
רָפָאֵל
Italian
Raffaele
Spanish
Rafael
Portuguese
Rafael
Popularity Over Time
#4,481
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Refael
R
Rafael Nadal
Athlete
1986
Spanish professional tennis player, 22-time Grand Slam champion and widely considered one of the greatest tennis players...
Spanish professional tennis player, 22-time Grand Slam champion and widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time
R
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio)
Artist
1483
Italian Renaissance painter and architect, one of the triumvirate of great masters alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Miche...
Italian Renaissance painter and architect, one of the triumvirate of great masters alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Painted the School of Athens and the Sistine Madonna.
R
Raphael Fictional
Other
The archangel of healing in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition, featured in the Book of Tobit and Enoch as the gui...
The archangel of healing in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition, featured in the Book of Tobit and Enoch as the guide of travelers and healer of the sick
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,481
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Israeli Sephardic Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Rafi
Refa
Eli
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Refael
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Refael fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Refael →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Refael with...
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
See all Jewish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Refael
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Refael and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Refael sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Noriel
Boy
Hebrew nor (light/fire) + el (God) origin
"fire of God, light of God"
#4,414 in US
Jeziel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God is strength, aided by God"
#4,346 in US
Elia
Boy
Italian/Greek origin
"The Lord is my God"
#4,626 in US
Zalman
Boy
Hebrew root sh-l-m origin
"peace, well-being"
#4,556 in US
Romi
Boy
Latin origin
"from Rome, Roman person"
#4,656 in US
Essiah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"salvation of the Lord"
#4,368 in US
Joachim
Boy
Hebrew origin
"raised by God, established by YHWH"
#4,593 in US
Zakary
Boy
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh remembers"
#4,677 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Refael's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Refael
What does the name Refael mean?
"God has healed" (from Hebrew). "divine healer, medicine of God" (from Hebrew rafa + el). "healing of God" (from Biblical Hebrew). Refael is the Hebrew spelling of Raphael, one of the principal angels in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition. The name combines two Hebrew elements: 'rafa' (רָפָא), meaning 'to heal,' and 'el' (אֵל), meaning 'God.' Together: 'God has healed' or 'divine healer.' In the Book of Tobit, Raphael is the angel who heals Tobit's blindness and guides Tobias on his journey — cementing his role as the celestial patron of healing and travelers.
What is the origin of the name Refael?
Refael has Hebrew, Hebrew rafa + el, Biblical Hebrew, Jewish, Israeli, and Sephardic origins. In Hebrew, it means "God has healed". In Hebrew rafa + el, it means "divine healer, medicine of God". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "healing of God".
Is Refael a boy or girl name?
Refael is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Refael?
Refael is currently ranked #4481 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Refael?
Common nicknames for Refael include Rafi, Refa, and Eli.
What are good middle names for Refael?
Popular middle name pairings include Refael Moshe, Refael David, Refael Yosef, Refael Chaim, Refael Aaron, Refael Yitzchak, and Refael Shimon.
What are good sibling names for Refael?
Names that pair well with Refael as siblings include Gavriel, Uriel, Michael, Daniel, Eliyahu, Miriam, Devorah, and Chana.
How many syllables does Refael have?
Refael has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Refael a common or rare name?
Refael is an uncommon name, ranked #4481 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Refael
Refael is a boy name with Jewish, Israeli, Sephardic, and Hebrew origins . The name means "God has healed" in Hebrew .
Refael is currently ranked #4,481 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Refael has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Refael include Rafi, Refa, and Eli. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More boy names like Refael
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis