Given name & surname
Raef
“a tough man”
Raef is a variant of Rafe. One Irish interpretation is “a tough man.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Raef is a variant of Rafe. One Irish interpretation is “a tough man.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Raef is a variant of Rafe. An origin associated with Rafe is Irish.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1966. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Raef through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 380
- 380 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2002
- 38 babies
- 2025
- 13
- #6,717 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +11%
- Rising
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 13 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 6,717 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 10.9% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 38 in 2002. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 429 as a first name in 2020; 269 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Raef, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Raeshaun
“born during the daylight”
>99% boys
Rishab
“one who is musically talented”
>99% boys
Naser
“one who offers his support”
>99% boys
Raidel
>99% boys
Reyshawn
>99% boys
Damen
“one who tames or subdues others”
>99% boys
Ryhan
84% boys · 16% girls
Ramzey
Ramzey is a variant of Ramsey. One English interpretation is “from the raven island; from the island of wild garlic.”
>99% boys