Rising since 1985, #445 for boys today.
Popularity of Uriel since 1913
Babies named Uriel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2008, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Uriel's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 44 |
| 1920s | 80 |
| 1930s | 26 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 53 |
| 1960s | 134 |
| 1970s | 344 |
| 1980s | 941 |
| 1990s | 3,412 |
| 2000s | 6,439 |
| 2010s | 5,747 |
| 2020s | 3,838 |
Meaning & origin
Uriel is an angelic name with deep Hebrew roots, meaning 'God is my light.' It first appeared on the U.S. Social Security Administration's records in 1913, but remained very rare for decades. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily climbing, and it reached its peak popularity in 2025 at rank 445. That year, about 1 in 2,413 boys were named Uriel, reflecting a growing appreciation for biblical names that are distinctive yet traditional. The name is most common in New Mexico, Oregon, and Arizona, suggesting a regional popularity that may tie to Hispanic and Catholic communities, though the name itself transcends any single culture. Uriel offers a strong, spiritual meaning and a melodic sound, appealing to parents seeking something meaningful without being overly common.
Uriel is a Hebrew theophoric name meaning 'God is my light,' from 'ur' (light) and 'El' (God). In the Hebrew Bible, Uriel is an angel mentioned in the Book of Enoch and later Jewish and Christian angelology. The name has been used among English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, though it has always been uncommon. Its recent rise in the United States coincides with a broader interest in biblical and angelic names.
Where Uriel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Uriel” around the world
Where Uriel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
60
babies in 2024
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Uri, Urie
Variants: Uriell, Uryel
Sibling names for Uriel
Names that share Uriel's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Selene, Naomi, Miriam, Chloe, Liora, Yuridia, Angelis, Erielle, Monserath
Brothers: Gabriel, Raphael, Micah, Ezra, Levi, Azael, Gadiel, Haziel, Jasiel, Rapheal, Raziel, Zuriel, Cassiel, Haniel, Jaasiel, Joniel, Mikhael, Ociel, Ralphael, Zadkiel, Amenadiel, Azariel, Azreal, Hadriel, Remiel, Samael, Yuriel, Azarel, Duriel, Eziel, Nuriel, Ramiel, Ranferi, Sariel, Yeudiel
Names like Uriel
Names whose popularity has moved with Uriel's over the last 50 years.
