Azriel

Meaning of Azriel

Azriel is the Anglicized form of the Hebrew עזריאל (Ezri-el), literally translating to “God is my help,” a meaning that threads quietly through several minor figures in the Hebrew Bible and, by later extension, to the angelic lore surrounding Azrael—the better-known but differently spelled “angel of death.” For modern parents, the -i-version tends to sidestep the gothic overtones of its cousin while preserving the same sturdy root and a crisp, two-syllable rhythm: AZ-ree-əl. In the United States the name has moved from obscurity to modest familiarity, inching up the Social Security rankings from the 700s in the early 1990s to the low 500s today, a rise gradual enough to feel distinctive yet not eccentric. Azriel also benefits from a sprinkling of real-world bearers, from 19th-century rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer to contemporary athletes, giving it credentials beyond the realms of fantasy gaming forums. The result is a biblically grounded, quietly unconventional choice that offers both gravitas and an easy nickname—“Az”—for playground brevity.