RAF

Raf is a masculine given name or nickname, commonly a shortened form of Rafael or Raffael. It is used in several languages, including Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese, and can also stand alone as a given name. In addition to personal names, the form is sometimes used as a stage name or informal moniker for public figures.

A well-known bearer of the given name is Raf Simons, a Belgian fashion designer who has led major brands and collections since the 1990s. In many contexts, "Raf" functions as the familiar short form of Rafael, a name common across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities, as well as in Dutch-speaking regions.

Raf or RAF is also an acronym for the Royal Air Force, the United Kingdom's aerial warfare service. The RAF was established in 1918 from the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. It has served as a central component of British defense and international operations, operating fighters, bombers, transports, reconnaissance aircraft, and training units, with bases across the United Kingdom and overseas.