Raife is a spelling of Rafe, which reflects the traditional English pronunciation of Ralph, a name from the Old Norse Radulfr meaning "counsel of the wolf" or wise wolf. British actor Ralph Fiennes, who pronounces his name Rafe, has kept that old form in the public ear. Raife was almost unused in the United States at number 11761 in 2015 and has climbed steeply to number 2562 in 2025, its best rank so far.