"strong one of God"
Azazel
An ancient Hebrew name carrying powerful mythological weight
Meaning & Origin
"desert demon or fallen angel"
Things to Know About This Name
- Strong association with demonic/supernatural figures in Jewish and Christian theology
- Associated with Azazel the demon in the Book of Enoch
- Used as a character name in multiple superhero comics (X-Men villain)
- Parents may face social stigma or concern from religious communities
The Story of Azazel
Azazel (עֲזָאזֵל in Hebrew) is an ancient name with disputed etymology. Most scholars connect it to the Hebrew 'az' (strong, fierce) and 'el' (God), though some link it to 'ez' (goat). The name appears in Leviticus 16 as the entity to which the 'scapegoat' was symbolically sent into the wilderness on Yom Kippur. In the Book of Enoch, Azazel becomes a fallen angel who taught humans forbidden knowledge.
Azazel remains exceedingly rare as a given name, primarily used by parents drawn to its dark mythological resonance or its association with supernatural fiction. Marvel Comics introduced Azazel as an X-Men villain, giving the name new cultural visibility.
In Jewish tradition, Azazel represents the concept of sending away sin into the wilderness — the origin of the English word 'scapegoat.' In Islamic tradition, Azazel is sometimes identified with Iblis (Satan). The name carries heavy theological weight across Abrahamic religions.
Fun Facts
- The English word 'scapegoat' comes from the Yom Kippur ritual described in Leviticus 16, where one goat was sent to Azazel
- Azazel appears as a major character in the Egyptian Arabic novel 'Azazeel' by Youssef Ziedan, which won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2009
Azazel in Other Languages
Famous People Named Azazel
Azazel Fictional
Other
Teleporting mutant villain in Marvel Comics, father of the X-Man Nightcrawler
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,729
- Total SSA Count
- 30
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Jewish Christian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Azazel is also used as a girl name, ranked #40692.
View Azazel as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Azazel
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About the Name Azazel
Azazel is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, and Christian origins . The name means "strong one of God" in Hebrew .
Is Azazel a boy or girl name? Azazel is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,729 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #40,692. Azazel is more commonly used as a boy name.
Azazel is currently ranked #3,729 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Azazel has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Azazel include Zaz and Az. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.