"prince of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Asriel
An ancient Hebrew name made mythic by fantasy
Jewish
English
Fantasy fiction
Spiritual
Bold
Literary
Unique
Whimsical
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Lord Asriel is a morally ambiguous antagonist in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy; some parents may associate the name with a villainous figure
The Story of Asriel
Asriel is a Hebrew name meaning God is my help or prince of God, combining the elements azr (help) and el (God). It appears in the Bible in Numbers 26:31 as a descendant of Manasseh. The name is related to Azrael, the angel of death in Jewish and Islamic traditions, though Asriel carries a more positive connotation focused on divine assistance.
Asriel experienced a significant boost following Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy (1995-2000) and its BBC/HBO adaptation (2019-2022). The character Lord Asriel is one of the central figures, making the name recognizable to a new generation drawn to fantastical, uncommon names.
In Jewish tradition, Asriel appears as a biblical figure and carries strong spiritual meaning. The related name Azrael holds significance in Jewish mysticism as an angel. In modern popular culture, Lord Asriel from His Dark Materials brought the name to international attention.
Fun Facts
- Asriel appears in the Bible as a grandson of Manasseh in the tribe of Israel
- Lord Asriel in His Dark Materials represents the archetype of the defiant rebel against divine authority
- The name shares the -el suffix (meaning God) with Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
Asriel in Other Languages
French
Asriel
Hebrew
Asriel
Russian
Азриэль
Spanish
Asriel
Japanese
Asuriel
Popularity Over Time
#5,915
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Asriel
A
Asriel son of Manasseh
Other
Biblical figure mentioned in Numbers 26:31 as a descendant of the tribe of Manasseh
L
Lord Asriel Fictional
Other
Central antagonist/antihero in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy (1995-2000), an ambitious scholar who challen...
Central antagonist/antihero in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy (1995-2000), an ambitious scholar who challenges divine authority
A
Asriel (Undertale character) Fictional
Other
A major character in the 2015 video game Undertale by Toby Fox, the son of the king and queen of the Underground
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,915
- Total SSA Count
- 16
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish English Fantasy fiction
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Az
Azi
Riel
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Asriel fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Asriel is also used as a girl name, ranked #27307.
View Asriel as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Asriel →Compare Asriel with...
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Asriel and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Asriel sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Asriel
What does the name Asriel mean?
"prince of God" (from Hebrew). Asriel is a Hebrew name meaning God is my help or prince of God, combining the elements azr (help) and el (God). It appears in the Bible in Numbers 26:31 as a descendant of Manasseh. The name is related to Azrael, the angel of death in Jewish and Islamic traditions, though Asriel carries a more positive connotation focused on divine assistance.
What is the origin of the name Asriel?
Asriel has Hebrew, Jewish, English, and Fantasy fiction origins. In Hebrew, it means "prince of God".
Is Asriel a boy or girl name?
Asriel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5915. As a girl name, it is ranked #27307. Asriel is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Asriel?
Asriel is currently ranked #5915 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Asriel?
Common nicknames for Asriel include Az, Azi, and Riel.
What are good middle names for Asriel?
Popular middle name pairings include Asriel James, Asriel Cole, Asriel Sage, Asriel Finn, Asriel River, Asriel Grey, and Asriel Wolf.
What are good sibling names for Asriel?
Names that pair well with Asriel as siblings include Lyra, Serafina, Ezra, Zephyr, Orion, Celeste, and Aurelius.
How many syllables does Asriel have?
Asriel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Asriel a common or rare name?
Asriel is an uncommon name, ranked #5915 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Asriel
Asriel is a boy name with Jewish, English, and Fantasy fiction origins . The name means "prince of God" in Hebrew .
Is Asriel a boy or girl name? Asriel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,915 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #27,307. Asriel is more commonly used as a boy name.
Asriel is currently ranked #5,915 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Asriel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Asriel include Az, Azi, and Riel. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.