Azel
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 443 recorded births. Also given to 88 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Azel reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 1900s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Azel ranks #3520 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Azel is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew Atzel or Azel meaning 'noble' or 'beside, near' — appearing in the Old Testament as a descendant of King Saul in the Book of Chronicles.
Azel is extremely rare, with biblical credentials that stretch back to 1 Chronicles 8:37-38. It has a clean, two-syllable sound with an unusual Z that gives it immediate visual distinction — a name for parents who love biblical rarity.
EtymologyShow more
Though Azel dates back to 1900 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Hebrew classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 443 recorded births, Azel has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Azel has 38+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1900.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 150 | #3694 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 148 | #6586 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 39 | #10402 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | #9767 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 7 | #4631 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 5 | #3989 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 10 | #3624 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 12 | #3356 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 42 | #3566 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 19 | #3548 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 6 | #1178 | — |
The Story of Azel
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Azel is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Azel are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Azel?
Only about 1 in every 112,500 babies born in 2024 was named Azel — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1900, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 150 births that decade.
Azel by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Azel per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(38 years, 1900–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | #3520 |
| 2023 | 36 | #3297 |
| 2022 | 28 | #3891 |
| 2021 | 26 | #4024 |
| 2020 | 28 | #3736 |
| 2019 | 29 | #3726 |
| 2018 | 18 | #5123 |
| 2017 | 15 | #5829 |
| 2016 | 10 | #7656 |
| 2015 | 18 | #5081 |
| 2014 | 17 | #5270 |
| 2013 | 9 | #8182 |
| 2012 | 16 | #5504 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7057 |
| 2010 | 5 | #12436 |
| 2009 | 5 | #12689 |
| 2008 | 7 | #9966 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8249 |
| 2006 | 8 | #8806 |
| 2005 | 5 | #11645 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Azel as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Azel has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 88 births since 1921.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azel a boy's or girl's name?
When was Azel most popular?
How popular is the name Azel?
Can Azel be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1900–2024