UK boy's name
Rafat
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "sublime, exalted".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rafat is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rafat popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 4 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1997 to 2022. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Rafat. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rafat ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 4 boys were registered as Rafat.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rafat as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
4 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Rafat mean?
The name Rafat is rooted in the Arabic language and has its origins in the Middle Eastern region. It is derived from the Arabic word "rafat," which means "to elevate" or "to raise." The name is believed to have emerged in the 7th century during the rise of Islam and the spread of the Arabic language across the Middle East and parts of North Africa.
In Islamic tradition, the name Rafat is sometimes associated with the concept of spiritual elevation and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. It is considered a virtuous name, reflecting the aspiration for one to rise above earthly desires and attain a higher state of being.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Rafat can be found in historical documents and records from the medieval Islamic world. One notable figure bearing this name was Rafat al-Isfahani, a 10th-century Persian scholar and literary critic renowned for his contributions to Arabic literature and poetry.
Throughout history, several prominent individuals have carried the name Rafat, including:
1. Rafat Al-Akhras (1908-1996), a Palestinian politician and activist who played a significant role in the Palestinian national movement during the 20th century. 2. Rafat Ali (born 1971), a prominent American entrepreneur and founder of the travel industry intelligence platform Skift. 3. Rafat Hussain (born 1943), a Pakistani nuclear physicist and scientist who played a crucial role in Pakistan's nuclear program. 4. Rafat Hussain (born 1946), a Pakistani cricket umpire who officiated in several international matches during the 1980s and 1990s. 5. Rafat Ismail (born 1977), an Egyptian-American game developer and entrepreneur best known for her work on titles like "Nitrome" and "Vlambeer."
The name Rafat has maintained its presence and significance across various cultures and regions, particularly in the Arab world and among Muslim communities. While its popularity may have fluctuated over time, it continues to be a respected and meaningful name choice for many families, carrying the aspirations of spiritual growth and intellectual pursuit.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rafat over time
The chart below shows babies named Rafat registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rafat, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rafat by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rafat 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 | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4726 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2337 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rafat
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rafat: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rafat in the UK right now?
In 2022, Rafat was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rafat most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 4 babies registered as Rafat in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rafat?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "sublime, exalted".
How many people are called Rafat in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Rafat across the 4 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.