What Does the Name Azriel Mean?
Azriel is built from the Hebrew verb עזר (azar, "to help") and אל (El, "God"), giving the meaning "God is my help" or "help of God." A less-supported alternate reading ties the first part to "az" ("strong"), but the "help" etymology has stronger scholarly backing.
The Origin & History of Azriel
Azriel appears as a clan leader's name in the Hebrew Bible, mentioned in both 1 Chronicles 5 and 27. The closely related form Azrael is traditionally associated with the Angel of Death in Jewish and Islamic lore, though Azriel itself is used straightforwardly as a given name without that darker connotation.
Cultural Reach
Azriel is used mainly within Jewish naming traditions, in Israel and in Jewish communities abroad, and has also spread to some Christian families drawn to its strong "El" (God) ending shared with names like Gabriel and Azariah.
Personality & Traits
With a meaning centered on divine help and protection, Azriel suggests strength paired with support — a serious, grounded name.
Famous People Named Azriel
Azriel is named as a clan leader of the tribe of Naphtali in 1 Chronicles 27:19, and separately as a Gadite leader's father in 1 Chronicles 5:24.
Popularity as a Given Name
SSA data recorded 467 boys named Azriel in the US in 2024, up from 416 in 2023 — a meaningful riser.
Nicknames & Variants
Azrael is the closely related form tied to the Angel of Death figure. Ziraili is the Swahili rendering carrying the same "help of God" meaning.