Azrael
AZ-ray-el
Azrael comes from the Hebrew ‘Azar’el, meaning “helper of God” or “one whom God helps.” In Islamic tradition, Azrael is the angel of death who separates souls from bodies.
Though absent from canonical biblical texts, Azrael appears in Jewish mystical writings and Islamic hadith literature. His role as death’s angel gives the name a dark, powerful mystique.
Azrael peaked at No. 684 in 2023 with 394 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 735 with 354 births, holding close to its all-time high.
What the name Azrael means
DC Comics character Azrael—a vigilante who briefly replaced Batman—introduced the name to mainstream American culture. The Smurfs villain Gargamel’s cat is also named Azrael.
Three syllables—AZ-ray-el—have a dramatic, celestial sound. The sibilant opening and liquid close give it an otherworldly quality.
Parents drawn to Azrael embrace its angelic mythology and gothic edge. It belongs to the bold biblical-adjacent category alongside names like Lucian and Caspian.
The name’s steady rise suggests parents are comfortable with its darker associations, valuing its meaning—helper of God—over its angel-of-death reputation.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Azrael - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity