Rafa
Below 5 births
2025 SSA
About Rafa
Sounds a bit like a shortening of Rafael or a condensation of Rafaela, but Rafa is a name in its own right. Whether you use it as a full name or a nickname, Rafa's casual coolness could allow it to follow in the footsteps of other tomboy names for girls, like Billie and Scout.
Rafa for boys#5557 US
Rafa is an adorable short form introduced to the world by actors Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale, who used the name for their second son. Rafael is the Latin cognate of the Hebrew boys' name Raphael, but you don't need to be a Rafael to be a Rafa.
Pronounced RAH-fuh.
As of October 2026, Rafa ranked #14829 for girls in US births in 2024 and #5557 for boys in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #10141 for girls in 2021 and #5014 for boys in 2023.
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Famous Rafas
- Rafa Cannavale (b. 2017)Boy
son of American actor Bobby Cannavale and Australian actress Rose Byrne
Variations & nicknames
- RafahGirl