Boy · Hebrew · Christian · International
Raphael
RaphaelSay it RAF-ay-el
Raphael meaning
Raphael is a Christian and international boy's name of Hebrew origin.
God has cured, God heals
Also used to mean: healed by God
Raphael comes from Hebrew Rephael, made of rapha', 'to heal', and 'el, 'God'; Strong's Concordance renders it 'God has cured'. In the Hebrew Bible it is the name of a Levite gatekeeper, but Christians know it best as the name of the archangel in the Book of Tobit, who travels in disguise with young Tobias, protects him on the road and heals his father's blindness. Catholic and Orthodox Christians honour him with Michael and Gabriel. The Renaissance painter Raphael made the name famous in art. In India it is used mostly in Catholic families.
Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, H7501 · entry Rpha'el · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Strong's H7501, Rephael (Bible Hub) · Wikipedia, Raphael (archangel)
Famous namesakes
- Raphael, archangel in the Book of Tobit
- Raphael, Italian Renaissance painter
Popularity abroad
- #394 United States, boys 2025 (up 26 from 420 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #142 England and Wales, boys 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Raphael · Rafael · Raphel