Rafa
Meaning of Rafa
The name Rafa is a charming and succinct unisex name with roots in Spanish culture, where it is pronounced RAH-fah (/ˈrɑfə/). It is often considered a diminutive of Raphael or Rafael, names that carry the meaning "God has healed" in Hebrew. This makes Rafa not only easy to pronounce but also imbued with a sense of divine protection and healing. Although it remains relatively rare in the United States, with occurrences ranging from 5 to 19 newborns annually over the past decade, its simplicity and international flair make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique yet meaningful name for their child.
Pronunciation
Spanish
- Pronunced as RAH-fah (/ˈrɑfə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Rafa
| Rafa Esparza - Rafael Esparza is an American performance artist known for his physically demanding performances and adobe brick installations, often collaborating with family members. |
| Rafa Bado - Rafael Jesús Bado Blanco is a Spanish-Gibraltarian former footballer who played for AD Taraguilla and the Gibraltar national team, and served as player-manager of Lions Gibraltar. |
| Rafa Navarro - Rafael "Rafa" Jesús Navarro Mazuecos is a Spanish professional footballer known for his position as a right-back. |
| Rafa Martínez is a Spanish professional basketball player known for his career in the Liga ACB and his representation of the Spain national team as a shooting guard. |
| Rafael Rodríguez Ruiz, also known as Rafa, is a Spanish footballer and defensive midfielder for Málaga CF. |
