Rafe
How to say it: RAYF · /ˈreɪf/
English form of Ralph, Old Norse 'wolf counsel' - pronounced RAYF, literary and aristocratic in England.
Rafe was the 895th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 179 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 2.5-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #534 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #895 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 179 |
| Share of births | 1 in 14,352 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×2.5 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #534 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
This decade marks the best showing so far, with the 2020s as peak still current. Additional gains are expected shortly.
What goes with it
Pronounced RAYF, it sounds breathy and strong. Jude echoes its spare style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Rafe is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
England and Wales: #202.
Famous people named Rafe
- Rafe de Crespigny (born 1936)Australian sinologist and historian
- Rafe Wolfe (born 1985)Jamaican association football player
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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