NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Rafan

An invented modern name of uncertain origin and meaning.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Rafan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rafan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 8 births.

This profile covers 64 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2009 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 64 living people in the UK are called Rafan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Rafan ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2012, when 8 boys were registered as Rafan.
  • About 64 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rafan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4991

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2012

8 births

Estimated living

64

2026

Meaning

What does Rafan mean?

The name Rafan has its origins in the ancient Persian language, with roots dating back to the pre-Islamic era of the Sassanid Empire (224-651 AD). The name is derived from the Persian word "raf," meaning "friend" or "companion," combined with the suffix "-an," which denotes a sense of belonging or association. This suggests that the name Rafan may have originally been used to refer to someone who was a loyal friend or companion.

During the Sassanid period, the name Rafan was likely used among the nobility and upper classes of Persian society. However, there are no definitive historical records or ancient texts that mention individuals bearing this name from that specific time period.

The earliest documented use of the name Rafan can be traced back to the 9th century AD, during the Islamic Golden Age. One prominent figure with this name was Rafan al-Tabari, a renowned Persian scholar and historian who lived from 838 to 923 AD. He is best known for his monumental work, "History of the Prophets and Kings," a comprehensive historical chronicle that covers the history of the world from its creation up until his time.

Another notable figure named Rafan was a Persian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 10th century AD. Though little is known about his personal life, his contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy were significant, and he is credited with developing new methods for calculating the positions of celestial bodies.

In the 12th century, there was a Persian poet named Rafan al-Din, who was known for his lyrical compositions and his mastery of the Persian poetic tradition. His works were widely celebrated during his lifetime and continue to be studied and appreciated by scholars of Persian literature.

During the 13th century, a Persian physician named Rafan al-Razi gained recognition for his medical knowledge and expertise. He is believed to have written several treatises on various medical topics, although few of his works have survived to the present day.

Another historical figure named Rafan was a 14th-century Persian calligrapher and artist, renowned for his intricate and beautiful calligraphic works. His artistry was highly sought after by the nobility and elite of the time, and his creations adorned many palaces and monuments throughout the Persian Empire.

While the name Rafan has its roots in ancient Persia, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly in regions with strong historical ties to Persian culture and influence. However, its usage has been relatively limited compared to other Persian names, and it remains a relatively uncommon name in modern times.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rafan over time

The chart below shows babies named Rafan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rafan, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Rafan
02468200920162023

Decades

Rafan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rafan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4796 9 3
2010s #3537 51 10
2000s #3744 4 1

Related

Names similar to Rafan

FAQ

Rafan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Rafan in the UK right now?

In 2023, Rafan was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Rafan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2012, with 8 babies registered as Rafan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rafan?

An invented modern name of uncertain origin and meaning.

How many people are called Rafan in the UK?

A total of 64 babies have been registered as Rafan across the 14 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.