Rafaela
Every Rafaela since 1887 — 3,516 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Rafaela
Rafaela is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,922 in 2025 with 58 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1887, 3,516 American babies have been named Rafaela. Its peak came in 2011, when 60 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Rafaela stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Rafaela year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 58 | #2,922 |
| 2024 | 53 | #3,072 |
| 2023 | 48 | #3,372 |
| 2022 | 48 | #3,358 |
| 2021 | 40 | #3,787 |
| 2020 | 47 | #3,326 |
| 2019 | 55 | #2,990 |
| 2018 | 45 | #3,478 |
| 2017 | 32 | #4,464 |
| 2016 | 45 | #3,508 |
| 2015 | 38 | #3,969 |
| 2014 | 41 | #3,765 |
| 2013 | 31 | #4,619 |
| 2012 | 35 | #4,275 |
| 2011 | 60 | #2,897 |
| 2010 | 34 | #4,379 |
| 2009 | 41 | #3,851 |
| 2008 | 35 | #4,431 |
| 2007 | 27 | #5,352 |
| 2006 | 26 | #5,344 |
| 2005 | 32 | #4,347 |
| 2004 | 28 | #4,791 |
| 2003 | 22 | #5,556 |
| 2002 | 24 | #5,051 |
| 2001 | 21 | #5,517 |
| 2000 | 20 | #5,643 |
| 1995 | 17 | #5,624 |
| 1990 | 24 | #4,194 |
| 1985 | 21 | #3,949 |
| 1980 | 26 | #3,291 |
| 1975 | 22 | #3,231 |
| 1970 | 18 | #3,538 |
| 1965 | 23 | #2,590 |
| 1960 | 21 | #2,706 |
| 1955 | 17 | #2,813 |
| 1950 | 42 | #1,429 |
| 1945 | 27 | #1,613 |
| 1940 | 24 | #1,630 |
| 1935 | 21 | #1,710 |
| 1930 | 40 | #1,192 |
| 1925 | 48 | #1,115 |
| 1920 | 35 | #1,344 |
| 1915 | 24 | #1,511 |
| 1910 | 17 | #1,101 |
| 1905 | 8 | #1,512 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,886 |
| 1895 | 6 | #1,561 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Rafaela
- Rafaela Aparicio Actor · 1906–1996
- Rafaela Silva Wrestler · b. 1992
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Rafaela in 2025?
Rafaela ranked #2,922 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 58 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Rafaela?
3,516 babies have been named Rafaela in the United States since 1887, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Rafaela most popular?
Rafaela peaked in 2011, when 60 newborns received the name.
Is Rafaela a boy or girl name?
Rafaela is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Rafaela rising or falling?
Rafaela is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Rafaela?
Well-known people named Rafaela include Rafaela Aparicio (actor), Rafaela Silva (wrestler).