Rafiel is a unique and distinctive given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "rafah," which means "to heal" or "to cure." The name Rafiel is often associated with the archangel Raphael, one of the seven archangels in Jewish tradition. In the Book of Tobit, Raphael accompanies Tobias on his journey and eventually reveals himself as an angel.
The name Rafiel has a rich history and cultural significance. It is mentioned in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit, which is included in the Catholic Bible but considered apocryphal by some Protestant denominations. In this book, Raphael plays a crucial role in guiding Tobias and helping him overcome various challenges. The name Rafiel is also found in the Quran, where he is referred to as Israfel, one of the four archangels who will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment.
Today, Rafiel is still used as a given name, particularly among families with Jewish or Catholic backgrounds. It remains a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents looking for a unique name for their child. The name Rafiel signifies healing, guidance, and divine intervention, making it a powerful and inspiring option for those who wish to honor these values through their child's name.
The name Rafiel has been given to a total of 91 babies born in the United States over the past five decades, with birth years ranging from 1972 to 2019.
Looking at the statistics year by year, we can observe that the name's popularity has varied over time. The highest number of births recorded for Rafiel was 8 in 1981, indicating a brief period of increased favorability for this name during that particular decade.
However, throughout most of the years listed, the number of babies named Rafiel remained relatively stable, with five births occurring annually on several occasions (1974, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2008, and 2016). This consistency suggests that Rafiel has maintained a steady level of popularity without experiencing any significant surges or declines in usage over time.
It's also worth noting that there was a noticeable gap in the use of the name between 1997 and 2004, with no births recorded for Rafiel during those years. This temporary absence may reflect changing trends in baby naming preferences or simply be due to chance variations in small numbers.
In recent years, Rafiel has continued to appear occasionally among newborns in the United States, with five babies given this name in both 2014 and 2019. Overall, these statistics provide insight into the enduring yet modest popularity of the name Rafiel over time within the American population.