Meaning, origin, history
Raphaël is a name of Hebrew origin that means "God has healed." It is derived from the Hebrew word Rapha, which means "to heal," and El, which means "God." The name Raphael appears in the Bible as one of the seven archangels, who are believed to be intermediaries between God and humanity. According to tradition, Raphael is associated with healing and protection.
The name Raphael has been used throughout history by several notable figures, including:
* Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520), an Italian painter of the High Renaissance
* Raphael Meijer (1916-2007), a Dutch chess grandmaster
* Raphael Varane (born 1993), a French footballer who plays for Manchester United and the France national team
In literature, Raphael is also the name of the hero in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.
Today, Raphael remains a popular boys' name around the world. It has been used in various forms throughout history, including Rafael, Raffaello, Rafał, and Rafal. Some variations of the name also include feminine forms such as Raphaella and Rafaela.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Ralphael since 1880
Total births
439
Total since 1880
Peak year
1991
23 births
in 2023
9
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-13%
↘
vs previous 5 years