Rafan
An invented modern name of uncertain origin and meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 127 living Americans carry the first name Rafan. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Rafan today is around 12 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Rafan births was 2015 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Rafan. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
127
~ 1 in 2,698,853 Americans
Peak year
2015
17 babies that year
Average age
12
years old
2021 SSA rank
#13,614
Tracked since 2008
Popularity
Rafan: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Rafan from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 110 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rafan by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Rafan during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Rafans live
Origin
Meaning and history of Rafan
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.
People
Rafan + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Rafan as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Rafan: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Rafan?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 127 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Rafan going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,698,853 US residents.
Is Rafan a common name?
We classify Rafan as "Very Rare". It ranks above 68% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 128 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Rafan most popular?
The single biggest year for Rafan was 2015, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Rafan is about 12 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Rafan a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Rafan in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.