Find out how popular the last name Rafaela is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Rafaela.

Rafaela, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Rafaela surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rafaela in America

Rafaela is the 111426th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rafaela surname appeared 158 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Rafaela.

The history of the last name Rafaela

The surname Rafaela originates from the Hebrew name "Raphael," which means "God has healed." It is believed to have emerged in Spain during the medieval period, likely among the Jewish communities residing in regions such as Andalusia and Aragon.

Rafaela is derived from the masculine form "Rafael," which was a popular name among Spanish Jews. As the Jewish population faced persecution and expulsion from Spain during the Inquisition in the late 15th century, many families fled to other parts of Europe and the Mediterranean, carrying their surnames with them.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Rafaela can be found in a 16th-century document from the city of Seville, where a family with this surname was listed as residents. It is also possible that the name originated from the town of Rafal, located in the province of Alicante, Spain.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Rafaela appeared in various records across the Mediterranean region, including in Italy, Greece, and the Ottoman Empire. Notable individuals with this surname include Rafaela Herrera (1817-1893), a Spanish painter known for her portraits and religious works.

In the 19th century, the surname Rafaela gained prominence in Latin America, particularly in countries with strong Spanish and Portuguese influences. One notable figure was Rafaela Ybarra de Villareal (1843-1914), a Venezuelan philanthropist and advocate for women's rights.

Another individual of historical significance was Rafaela Ibarra de Villedrolio (1866-1941), a Mexican activist and feminist who played a crucial role in the Mexican Revolution and the fight for women's suffrage.

In the 20th century, Rafaela Aparicio (1928-2010) was a renowned Spanish author and poet, known for her works that explored themes of identity, exile, and the human experience.

While the surname Rafaela has its roots in Spain and the Mediterranean region, it has since spread across the globe, carried by families and individuals who have contributed to various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rafaela

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Rafaela.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Rafaela was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Rafaela was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rafaela, please contact us.

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