Raphael

Often interpreted as “God heals” in Hebrew tradition.

Raphael is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin that has been adopted broadly across many languages, so it often feels familiar even outside specifically Hebrew-speaking settings. In Jewish and Christian tradition, Raphael is also the name of an archangel, and that religious and cultural context is a major reason the name has traveled and remained recognizable. Because of its long history in art, literature, and religious texts, many people encounter Raphael as a well-established classic rather than as a newly invented name. Etymologically, the name is commonly explained from Hebrew elements that are interpreted as “God heals,” and you’ll often see the Hebrew form written as רָפָאֵל. Across languages, you may also see the spelling Rafael, especially in Spanish and Portuguese contexts, which is best treated as a conventional variant rather than a different name. In English, a common pronunciation is RAF-eye-el, while many European pronunciations place the stress later, closer to ra-fa-EL. A practical tip is to decide whether you prefer a short nickname (like Rafi) or the full three-syllable form, since both are widely used in everyday speech.

Etymology: From Hebrew רָפָאֵל (Rapha'el). In Jewish and Christian traditions, Raphael is also the name of an archangel, which strongly shapes the name’s cultural associations.