Rising since 1986, #645 for boys today.
Popularity of Azael since 1977
Babies named Azael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 28 |
| 1990s | 177 |
| 2000s | 724 |
| 2010s | 1,085 |
| 2020s | 1,928 |
Meaning & origin
Azael entered U.S. naming records in 1977 and has been climbing steadily since 1986. In 2025 it reached its highest rank of 645, with 1 in 3,954 boys receiving the name. The name is most prevalent in New Mexico, Texas, and Nevada, reflecting a regional concentration in the Southwest. Azael shares its biblical root with the more controversial Azazel, but has emerged as a distinct and more approachable variant. Its rise mirrors broader trends favoring biblical and angelic names with a modern edge.
Azael is a variant of Azazel, a Hebrew name found in the Bible, traditionally understood to mean 'God has strengthened.' In the Hebrew Bible, Azazel is associated with the scapegoat ritual in Leviticus, though the exact meaning is debated. The name has been used among Jewish and Christian communities, and in modern times has gained some popularity in the United States.
Where Azael is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Azael” around the world
Where Azael lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Azi, Az, Zael
Sibling names for Azael
Names that share Azael's style, for a brother or sister.
