According to the INSEE First Name File, a biblical male first name, long discreet, was only given to around 260 boys in 1920. A century later, it nevertheless appears in the Top 5 boys’ first names in France, with more than 3,000 births in 2025. This rise, slow then spectacular, follows the waves of fashion, the rise of vintage first names and the diversification of parental choices. Because the 5 most given male first names represent only 6% of boy births in 2025. Behind this measured but very real success hides a first name that many consider to be both classic, spiritual and very current.
This first name is Raphael. According to theINSEERaphaël reaches approximately 3,285 births in 2025, which places it fourth nationally. Some sites go up to 3,400 by grouping together the variants Raphael, Rafaël or Raphäel, but the trend remains the same: the progression of this first name is attracting more and more families.
Popularity of the first name Raphaël: from a rare choice to a national Top 4
In the historical data of theINSEERaphaël first appears as a very marginal first name, with around 260 attributions in 1920. It begins to rise slowly from the 1970s, then really takes hold in the 1990s and 2000s. Restatements of the base show a peak around 4,610 births in 2018, before a slight stabilization.
In 2025, the First Name File lists 65,940 different first names given to babies born in France. The five most chosen male first names account for only 6% of boy births. Raphaël therefore represents around 1% of little boys, a level which makes him visible at school without making it an omnipresent first name.
Biblical origin and history of the first name Raphael
The first name Raphael comes from Hebrew, formed from “rapha”, linked to the idea of healing, and “el”, which designates God. It is usually translated as “God heals” or “God’s healing.” In the Bible, the archangel Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit alongside Michael and Gabriel, associated with travelers, doctors and the sick. His feast day is celebrated on September 29.
This spiritual dimension is added to a strong cultural presence. The Renaissance painter Raphaël Sanzio had this first name long before today’s parents, as did the mathematician Raphaël Bombelli. Closer to us, we think of the philosopher Raphaël Enthoven or the guitarist Raphaël Fays. This mixture of references gives Raphaël an air that is both ancient and very familiar.
Choosing Raphaël today: a well-established vintage first name
Recent curves show that Raphael has declined slightly since its peak in 2018, while remaining firmly anchored in the Top 5. This profile reassures many parents, who see it less as a fad than a contemporary classic. Some opt for the Raphael or Rafael variants, or for the feminine form Raphaëlle, while the Magicmaman site also gives it symbols such as the number 7, the sign of Taurus or the color yellow.