boy's name
Raif
rah-EEF (Arabic)
- Origin Arabic
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 2
- Letters 4
- Popularity Rare
- Births on record 725
Raif is an Arabic boy's name meaning "kind" or "compassionate." It comes from the word ra'if, which describes gentle, merciful concern for others, and it's used across the Muslim world, with a particularly strong presence in Turkish and Balkan families.
- Raif is a name of Arabic origin.
- Peaked in 2010, when 22 babies were given the name.
- Its usage has held steady over the past decade.
- Today about 1 in 207,211 babies in the United States is given this name.
- First appears in US birth records in 1967.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 2.
Raif Over Time
Births per decade in the United States, 1960s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2025.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 7 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 132 |
| 2010s | 135 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 61 |
What Raif Means
Raif means kind, compassionate or tender-hearted. In Arabic the word points to mercy shown toward the weak, so the name carries a warm moral sense and a religious resonance.
Where Raif Comes From
Arabic ra'if is an adjective from the root r-'-f, which expresses pity and tenderness. The Quran uses the related word ra'uf as a description of God, the Most Compassionate, and it's counted among the ninety-nine divine names, which gives the family of words high standing. Ottoman Turkish took Raif into wide use, and it spread through the Balkans with Muslim communities there. Raef and Raaif are other spellings of the same word. Raif has no link to Rafe, the English pronunciation of Ralph, despite the similar sound in English-speaking countries.
Raif in Use
Turkish readers know Raif Efendi, the quiet clerk at the center of Sabahattin Ali's novel Madonna in a Fur Coat. Saudi writer Raif Badawi gave the name international attention through his human rights case.
How Popular Is Raif?
In 2025, Raif was given to 16 babies in the United States. It is a rare choice.
Where Raif Is Used
US figures omit any name given to fewer than five babies in a year, so the rarest names are absent from the source rather than absent from use. Data & sources.
How Raif Is Spelled
Birth registers count each spelling separately, so every one has its own ranking.
| Spelling | What it is | Births on record |
|---|---|---|
| Raïf | Raïf is a rare spelling of Raif, written with a diaeresis and recorded about 10 times, mostly in France. | 10 |
Names That Peaked Alongside Raif
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Raif Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Raif over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Raif
- Arabic rah-EEF
Sibling Names for Raif
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Raif — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Raif
What does the name Raif mean?
Kind or compassionate, from the Arabic ra'if.
Is Raif a Muslim name?
Yes. It's an Arabic name used widely in Muslim families.
Is Raif the same as Rafe?
No. Rafe comes from Ralph, and Raif comes from Arabic.
How popular is the name Raif?
In 2025, Raif was given to 16 babies in the United States. It is a rare choice.
Is Raif a girl's or a boy's name?
Raif is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in Raif?
Raif has 2 syllables.
When was Raif most popular?
Raif peaked in 2010, when 22 babies were given the name. Its usage has held steady over the past decade.
Is Raif a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Raif currently ranks #2,490 in the United States. Its usage has held steady over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.