[name_m]Azriel[/name_m] is a unisex name meaning “helped by God” as well as the angel of destruction. (I’m not put off by that) I know this name is not a lot of people’s cup of tea and I definitely don’t think this name is for everyone. It’d have to take a certain person to rock this name but I do think it could work.
That being said, the most common thing I hear when I tell people about this name is, "like the cat from smurfs? And for some reason a lot of people think that’s a deal breaker but honestly? It’s just a cat. Yeah sure it was a mean cat but- and ask yourself this, does it really matter that much? It’s really not a big deal as some make it out to be. It’s not like the smurfs invented the name. Also the cat’s name was [name_m]Azrael[/name_m]. Different spelling. Like I don’t know if it’s just me on this but I really just… can’t be bothered to care.
Anyway, smurfs rant aside- what do you think? Is [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] usable or has the smurfs ruined it?
I didn’t make that association with the cat at all.
I really like it! It’s kind of similar to [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] which would be associated with the mermaid which is so lovely.
I really like [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] I think it’s unisex and could work very well on a little girl.
I think it’s perfectly fine. I can’t stand when old cartoons try to ruin good names! It’s frustrating when you suggest a name for someone and they pull up some obscure reference like an 80’s cartoon cat. I love the name [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] but all my husband thought about, at first, was the old cartoon character Witch [name_f]Hazel[/name_f]. I told him that while he may have that initial connotation, if he were to meet someone named [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], his connotations would change, and he wouldn’t think of that near 50 year old cartoon anymore. It’s the same for [name_m]Azriel[/name_m]. As a child named [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] went through life people who met them would not constantly think of the smurfs cat, they’d now think of that child when they heard the name.
I don’t think it’s that unusable at all. It seems on the more masculine end [name_f]IMO[/name_f], but it is similar enough to [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] that it would work. If you like it, you should go for it!
I wouldn’t make the association, and think it’s got quite a nice charm for a girls name. I know it’s more traditionally a boys name, but it seems right on a girl for some reason. Feels like [name_u]Ariel[/name_u]
[name_m]Azriel[/name_m] is a masculine name. I wouldn’t use it for that reason. I don’t think the association with the cat from Smurfs would be an issue.
I haven’t even seen Smurfs so I have no association with that. Is this in the new or the old version? I can’t find anything unusable about [name_m]Azriel[/name_m].
I didn’t know about the Smurfs connection but I never really watched the show as a child. With [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] my main concern would be the religious history of the name. But I don’t think the Smurfs thing is a big deal at all.
I didn’t watch the Smurfs. I don’t make that association. I think it’s a cool name and I think it could totally work on a little girl! It’s close enough to [name_f]Arielle[/name_f] that it doesn’t sound too crazy.
My second grade daughter has a friend in her class named [name_m]Azriel[/name_m]. I was intrigued and excited to hear something so unique! Totally usable!!
So sorry to bump this thread but I just woke up and read everyone’s responses and I just have to say thank you to everyone who replied. You guy’s definitely made me way more confident in using this name and ceased a lot of worries I had. Thank you!
[name_m]Azriel[/name_m] might have been historically a male name but it is now a unisex name. Unisex means the name is used for both boys and girls. I found this name in a naming book under the girl’s section. Based on it’s usage [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] is also in fact 1.087 times more common to be a girl’s name.
The names [name_u]Allison[/name_u], [name_u]Addison[/name_u], [name_u]Ashley[/name_u], [name_u]Cassidy[/name_u], [name_u]Hilary[/name_u], [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] & many more were all traditionally male names and over time, shifted into the girls side. You scarcely see a male with any of those names today. I feel [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] is much the same.
Exactly my thoughts! Smurfs is decades old. I myself don’t even remember it. The people who do end up mentioning it to me most times act like it’s such a horrible thing to be associated with and I’m like… all because of a cat??? Also [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] is beautiful and If I met a little girl named [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] I definitely wouldn’t think of [name_f]Hazel[/name_f] the Witch. I think you maybe might get the occasional “The Fault in Our Stars” association but even that isn’t enough to make it unusable.
I have never seen Smurfs, but even if I had, it wouldn’t be a big deal. By that logic [name_m]Oscar[/name_m], [name_m]Grover[/name_m] and [name_m]Ernie[/name_m] are all unusable because they were sesame [name_m]Street[/name_m] characters… pretty sure [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] is on the the rise. Definitely usuable
I think it’s definitely usable. Never seen The Smurfs so I don’t make the connection. There is an [name_m]Azrael[/name_m] in the TV show [name_m]Lucifer[/name_m] who is a female, I think it’s a kickass name.
Not because of the name or any reason not to use it…
It just pains me to see it on a girl.
Personally this name has been held close to my chest on my boy list for almost two decades. Though I was planning on using it as a middle combo ie: [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] [name_m]Ezekiel[/name_m] or [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] [name_m]Emil[/name_m].
Although to be fair I strongly considered Azriella when I was pregnant with my daughter.
But yes it’s usable I suppose and sounds unisex and fits in to today’s trends with girl names. I just hate seeing it for girls because most names when picked up by the girls become stolen. Like [name_u]Avery[/name_u]. Then it’ll feel really unusable on a boy. Just like all the other examples you shared on why a male name can go unisex then be more common on girls. It happens but it’s not an overall good thing for both sides. That’s what makes me cringe.
Omg, I love the show [name_m]Lucifer[/name_m]! I just started [name_f]Season[/name_f] 2 and knowing that honestly just makes me love the name even more.
It kind of sounds like you don’t want [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] to be a name for girls? You say it “sounds” unisex. It doesn’t sound unisex… it IS unisex and when you have a unisex name you have to be prepared to see it on both genders. Think of [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] Swift and [name_u]Taylor[/name_u] Lautner, they both rock the same name. I happen to know both a girl and boy named [name_u]Sasha[/name_u]. And those names I mentioned before? Took a century or so for them to transition into mainly girl names. I doubt that’s gonna happen with [name_m]Azriel[/name_m] anytime soon. The point is, it shouldn’t “pain” you to see it on a girl, because it’s a girls name… just like it’s a boy’s name. And if you truly love the name then it shouldn’t matter what other’s think. That’s what I got from reading all of these replies today. I love [name_m]Azriel[/name_m], so I’m gonna use it.