Rafer
Boy name · Celtic Gaelic · German · Irish
- US rank
- Unranked
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #3,097 in 1961
0 babies were named Rafer in the US in 2025.
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US births per million boys, 1961–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Rafer you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- HistoryRafer first shows up in US birth records in 1961, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 64 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 1961, when it reached #3,097.
About the name Rafer
Rafer is a boy name of Celtic Gaelic, German and Irish origin. It has 5 letters and 2 syllables, starting with R and ending in “-fer”. US birth records list Rafer for boys from 1961 to 1982, in 6 of those 22 years. Its best year was 1961, when it ranked #3,097 among boy names. It hasn't been given to 5 or more US babies in a year since 1982, so today it's a genuinely rare choice.
Origin:Celtic Gaelic namesGerman namesIrish names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.4 | 692,308 boys |
| 1970s | 0.3 | 3,333,333 boys |
| 1980s | 0.9 | 1,071,429 boys |
More Celtic Gaelic boy names
- Boy name: Bowen · son of Owen
- Boy name: Malcolm · devotee of Saint Columba
- Boy name: Danny · God is my judge
- Boy name: Calum · dove
- Unisex name: Bowie · yellow-haired
- Boy name: Cian · ancient
- Unisex name: Naveen · new
- Boy name: Earl · nobleman
Questions about the name Rafer
What is the origin of the name Rafer?
Rafer has Celtic Gaelic, German, Irish roots in our records. Other Celtic Gaelic names include Bowen, Malcolm, Danny.
Is Rafer a boy or girl name?
Rafer is a boy name.
How popular is the name Rafer?
Rafer is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1982. It peaked at #3,097 in 1961.