"God has healed"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Refael
Boy Name
#4,481 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
The healing archangel — a name of divine grace
Jewish
Israeli
Sephardic
Hebrew
Spiritual
Classic
Traditional
Elegant
Royal
Meaning & Origin
"divine healer, medicine of God"
Origin: Hebrew rafa + el
Language: Hebrew
"healing of God"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Aramaic
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.
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
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
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
Pairs Well With
Refael Moshe
Refael David
Refael Yosef
Refael Chaim
Refael Aaron
Refael Yitzchak
Refael Shimon
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.