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Azazel
Pronounced ə-ZAY-zel /əˈzeɪ.zɛl/High
Meaning: From Hebrew Azazel — the wilderness/'scapegoat' of the Yom Kippur ritual in Leviticus; meaning debated ('rugged cliff' or a name)Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Azazel appears in Leviticus in the Yom Kippur ritual, where one goat is designated 'for Azazel' and sent into the wilderness — the source of the English 'scapegoat'. Its meaning is debated: a rugged cliff, an entity, or a proper name. Later tradition cast Azazel as a fallen angel. A striking, enigmatic biblical name; we note its meaning is uncertain.
In the U.S. it is very rare, chosen for its dark, dramatic resonance. Scapegoat-ritual at the root, ancient, and enigmatic.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Azazel mean?
Azazel is from the Yom Kippur 'scapegoat' ritual in Leviticus; its exact meaning ('rugged cliff', an entity, or a name) is debated, so we flag it.
How do you pronounce Azazel?
It's said ə-ZAY-zel /əˈzeɪ.zɛl/ — three syllables, stress on the second.
Is Azazel a boy or girl name?
Azazel is a boy's name.
How popular is Azazel?
Azazel is a very rare name in the U.S.