Asriel
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 168 recorded births. Also given to 12 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Asriel reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 1980s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The resonant, angelic quality of its ending — shared with Hebrew names of angels and prophets — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Asriel ranks #5667 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Asriel is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'God is my help' or 'prince of God.' Asriel is a biblical name appearing in the Old Testament, and gained a huge wave of modern recognition through Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, where Lord Asriel is a complex, compelling figure.
EtymologyShow more
Asriel appeared in SSA records in 1987, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Hebrew roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 168 recorded births, Asriel has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Asriel has 14+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1987.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 78 | #6081 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 75 | #7323 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 10 | #12140 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 5 | #7042 | — |
The Story of Asriel
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2020, Asriel is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Asriel are most likely born between 2010 and 2024.
How rare is Asriel?
Only about 1 in every 225,000 babies born in 2024 was named Asriel — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1987, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 78 births that decade.
Asriel by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(14 years, 1987–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | #5667 |
| 2023 | 9 | #8316 |
| 2022 | 16 | #5659 |
| 2021 | 12 | #6736 |
| 2020 | 25 | #4027 |
| 2019 | 18 | #5172 |
| 2018 | 12 | #6740 |
| 2017 | 9 | #8209 |
| 2016 | 14 | #6070 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5311 |
| 2012 | 5 | #12437 |
| 2009 | 5 | #12656 |
| 2005 | 5 | #11623 |
| 1987 | 5 | #7042 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Asriel as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Asriel has also been given to 12 girls in the U.S. since 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asriel a boy's or girl's name?
When was Asriel most popular?
How popular is the name Asriel?
Can Asriel be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1987–2024