Skip to content
BoyOrigin debated3 syllables

Rafferty

Meaning: not confirmed (origin debated)

About the name Rafferty

The origin of Rafferty is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Irish roots, with the meaning “Abundance, prosperity”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.

Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Rafferty we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.

It has a unique feel. In 2025, Rafferty ranked #6360 for boys in the US, with 14 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2024. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Rafferty were boys.

US rank 2025
#6360
In 2015
#6985
Babies in 2025
14

Popularity of Rafferty, 1940–2025

0510141919401960198020002020
BoysBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Nicknames for Rafferty

  • Raff

Names similar to Rafferty

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.