Asriel

Meaning & origin

Asriel is a rare biblical name that entered modern birth records only in 1987, decades after most other Hebrew names had long been mainstream. Despite its long history in scripture, it remained practically unused until the 21st century. Its recent trajectory tells a clear story: rising since 2007 and reaching its peak rank of 3,949 in 2025, driven largely by cultural exposure. The name is found in a wide range of families, though its top state is Texas, reflecting broader national trends rather than a regional concentration. For parents drawn to Old Testament names that are still uncommon, Asriel offers a distinctive option with deep roots. However, its pronunciation is not immediately obvious to many English speakers, which may be a consideration. The name's rarity means a child named Asriel will rarely encounter a peer with the same name.

Asriel is a Hebrew name meaning 'prince of God' or 'God is my prince.' It appears briefly in the Old Testament as a son of Gilead (Numbers 26:31, Joshua 17:2). For centuries it was very rare in English-speaking countries, but received wider notice through its use in the video game Undertale (2015) as the name of a central character. Modern usage remains uncommon but has risen modestly since the late 2000s.