Raife
A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 209 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Raife hit its peak of 39 births in 2024, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Raife has carried that momentum forward and remains a live choice today.
In the most recent SSA release, Raife ranks #3137 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Raife is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, a variant of Ralph or Rafe, from the Old Norse Ráðúlfr meaning 'wolf counsel.' The distinctive -ife spelling gives the ancient Viking name a medieval, slightly mysterious quality.
EtymologyShow more
Raife is built from 5 letters and one syllable — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Old Norse naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Raife creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Raife climbed 7876 spots in the last 20 years — from #11013 to #3137.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 112 | #5132 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 65 | #10251 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 32 | #9445 | — |
The Story of Raife
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Raife is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Raife are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Raife?
Only about 1 in every 92,308 babies born in 2024 was named Raife — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2002, peaked in the 2020s with 112 births that decade.
Raife by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(17 years, 2002–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39 | #3137 |
| 2023 | 24 | #4430 |
| 2022 | 22 | #4663 |
| 2021 | 17 | #5502 |
| 2020 | 10 | #7929 |
| 2019 | 14 | #6327 |
| 2018 | 11 | #7493 |
| 2017 | 7 | #10518 |
| 2016 | 5 | #13720 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11760 |
| 2014 | 7 | #10466 |
| 2011 | 10 | #7938 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13787 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7580 |
| 2004 | 6 | #11013 |
| 2003 | 10 | #7117 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12069 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2002–2024