Rafferty

“Branch of the sea”

Ireland origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#5611US 2023

17Births / yr

↑Rising

204All-time births

📅 Since 198700

How to pronounce Rafferty

RAF·er·tee

/ˈræf.ɝ.tiː/ · stress on RAF · 3 syllables

“Branch of the sea”

Ireland origin · Boy name

What does Rafferty mean and where does it come from?

Rafferty is of Irish origin and derived from the Gaelic surname 'O'Rabhartaigh', referring to descendants of Rabhartach. The name's meaning connects it to nature, specifically to the sea. Rafferty has been used historically as both a surname and for given names in Ireland and has had notable individ

Cultural significance

Rafferty has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Ireland-speaking communities, where it reflects values of branch of the sea.

Peak popularity

Reached #5786 in 2020 — currently #5611 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Rafferty?

Rafferty works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Rafferty Grace

How popular is Rafferty right now?

Rising fast — up 2017 spots — currently #5611 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2005–2023#5611 · Top 4.1%

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#5611	17	▲ up 2017 · +55% births
2022	#7628	11	▼ down 2346 · -39% births
2021	#5282	18	▲ up 504 · +20% births
2020	#5786	15	▲ up 1063 · +25% births
2015	#6849	12	▲ up 987 · +20% births
2010	#7836	10	▼ down 1745 · -23% births
2005	#6091	13	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Rafferty

Best Year2021Rank #5282

Peak Count18

Average Rank#6440

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range2005 - 20237 years

The story of Rafferty

Rafferty is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1987. With 204 total births recorded, Rafferty remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #6091 in 2005 to #5611 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Rafferty in 2020:

Liam Noah Oliver Elijah William

Rafferty by decade

Rafferty peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →

Decade	Births
1980s	10
1990s	10
2000s	71
2010s ★	98
2020s	15

💎Rafferty has only 204 total recorded births since 1987 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Rafferty?

Common

RafRaAfferty

What names sound and feel like Rafferty?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Rafferty also consider these

Haggerty

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Alberty

Arabic · A Arabic name

Flaherty

Latin · A Latin name

Rafer

American · A variant of

American · a modern combination

Raffeal

Hebrew · רָפָאֵל - 'God

Common questions about the name Rafferty

What does the name Rafferty mean?

Rafferty means "Branch of the sea" — a name rooted in Ireland tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Rafferty?

Rafferty is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Rafferty have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Rafferty?

Rafferty originates from Ireland tradition. Ireland names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Rafferty?

Rafferty is a three-syllable name pronounced R AE1 F ER0 T IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Rafferty?

Rafferty pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Ireland heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.