Refa
A girl's name of Arabic origin with 7 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Refa, you're looking at a name that fewer than 7 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The open, warm ending gives Refa a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
Refa is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Refa is a girl's baby name of Arabic origin, a short form of Rifa or Refaa — from the Arabic root meaning 'prosperity,' 'well-being,' or 'elevation.' Al-Rafi is one of the 99 names of God in Islamic tradition, meaning the Exalter, and names from this root carry divine blessing.
Short and graceful, Refa has the clean simplicity of a name that says everything it needs to in four letters — a name that means good things will come, spoken with quiet certainty.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Refa is a girl's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1918–1918). Its Arabic roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 7 total births, Refa exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Refa has 1+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1918.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 7 | #4203 | — |
The Story of Refa
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Refa is a name steeped in history. Girls named Refa are most likely born between 1918 and 1918.
How rare is Refa?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Refa is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, peaked in the 1910s with 7 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(1 years, 1918–1918)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | 7 | #4203 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Refa a boy's or girl's name?
When was Refa most popular?
How popular is the name Refa?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–1918