Raf
Dutch · Boy · 1 syllable
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Raf
Raf is a shortened form of Raphael, derived from the Hebrew name רָפָאֵל (Rafa'el), meaning "God heals" or "God has healed" from the roots "rafa" (to heal) and "El" (God).
Cross-referenced with Behind the Name and Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Raf is a shortened form of Raphael, derived from the Hebrew name רָפָאֵל (Rafa'el), meaning "God heals" or "God has healed" from the roots "rafa" (to heal) and "El" (God). The name is used across Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures, with particular prominence in Western European and Latin American Christianity, where the Archangel Raphael is venerated as one of the seven archangels.
Raf currently ranks #13,427 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 2024.
Variants & nicknames
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
Dutch names that sit beautifully beside RafSimilar names you might like
Names starting with RMore names starting with R
- Raila
- Rachael
- Rachana
- Rainah
- Rahim
- Rahaf
- Rahil
- Raiden
- Rahma
- Raelyn
- Rachelle
- Raegan
- Raine
- Raha
- Raheem
- Rachna
- Raffael
- Rabi
🧬 See Raf's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Raf's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Raf your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Raf already? Find sibling names that fit →
Names that sound like Raf
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Ravi means "sun" and derives from Sanskrit, the ancient Indo-European language of India."
"Ruby derives from the Latin word "rubeus," meaning "red," and refers to the precious gemstone of that color, adopted as…"
"Rafał is the Polish form of Raphael, derived from the Hebrew name רָפָאֵל (Rafa'el), meaning "God heals" or "God has…"
"The name Rupa derives from Sanskrit meaning "form," "shape," or "appearance," with roots in the ancient Indo-Aryan language of India."
"Rob is a diminutive form of Robert, derived from the Germanic elements "hrod" (fame) and "beraht" (bright), meaning "bright fame."…"
"Robbie is a diminutive form of Robert, derived from the Germanic elements "hrod" (fame) and "beraht" (bright), meaning "bright fame."…"
"The given name 'Roope' is of Finnish origin, derived from the Old Norse word 'Hroðbeorht', meaning 'famous bright' or 'renowned…"
"Rubi is a diminutive or informal version of the name Ruby, which derives from the Latin "rubeus" meaning "red," referencing…"
"Reeva is derived from the Sanskrit word "Reva," meaning "river" or "flowing water," with the suffix "-a" being a common…"
"Rafe is a shortened form of Raphael, derived from the Hebrew name רָפָאֵל (Rafa'el), meaning "God heals" or "God has…"
"Rabab derives from the Arabic root R-B-B, meaning "to increase" or "to grow," and refers to spring or springtime, symbolizing…"
"The name Reef derives from Arabic roots, with "reef" (ريف) meaning "countryside" or "rural area" in Arabic, though it can…"