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Uriel Boy

Popularity: #414 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationYOO-ree-el / /ˈjʊəriəl/

Hebrew; Spanish

Meaning

Hebrew: 'God is my light'; Spanish: 'light'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Uriel has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the elements "ur" meaning "light" and "el" meaning "God". Thus, Uriel can be interpreted as "God is my light" or "light of God". The name appears in various forms across different cultures and languages, transitioning through Greek and Latin before entering English. In the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, Uriel is rendered as Ουριηλ (Ouriel), which was later adopted into Latin as Uriel, maintaining the original meaning and significance.

Historically, Uriel is recognized as one of the archangels in Jewish tradition, often associated with wisdom and enlightenment. He is mentioned in the apocryphal texts, particularly in the Book of Enoch, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE. Uriel's role as a guide and protector is further emphasized in Christian traditions, where he is sometimes depicted as a guardian of the gates of Eden and a bearer of divine knowledge. The name also appears in various religious texts, including the King James Bible, although not directly as a named figure within its canonical books.

Culturally, Uriel has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, symbolizing illumination and divine guidance. The name has been used in literature and art throughout the centuries, often representing the quest for knowledge and the pursuit of truth. In some traditions, Uriel is associated with the element of fire, reinforcing his connection to light and enlightenment. The diminutive form "Uri" has also emerged in some cultures, reflecting a more familiar or affectionate usage while still retaining the essence of the original name.

Trend Summary

Uriel has seen a gradual increase in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Uryel
  • Uri

International Variants

  • Uriel (Spanish)
  • Oriel (Latin)

Famous people named Uriel

Uriel Acosta is a philosopher best known for his works on Jewish thought and rationalism.

Uriel Orozco is a musician best known for his contributions to the Latin music scene as a guitarist and composer.

Uriel Garcia is a journalist best known for his reporting on social issues and community events.

Fictional characters named Uriel

Uriel is a fictional character from the comic book series The Sandman. He is an angel who serves as a guide and protector in the realm of dreams.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Uriel was first seen in the United States in 1913. Uriel has ranked as high as #713 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Arizona. In the past 5 years the name Uriel has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Uriel (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 152
25%
TX 147
24%
NY 37
6%
FL 29
5%
IL 26
4%
WA 21
3%
GA 15
2%
AZ 15
2%
OH 13
2%
OK 12
2%
PA 12
2%
IA 10
2%
MD 9
1%
WI 9
1%
MN 9
1%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19135
191412
19159
19176
19187
19195
192010
19218
19227
19238
19248
19259
192614
19286
192910
19308
19315
19336
19347
19446
19455
19466
19515
19525
195412
19556
195816
19599
196014
19618
19628
196314
196419
196516
19669
196716
196815
196915
197032
197119
197220
197315
197423
197534
197638
197752
197848
197963
198071
198163
198276
198364
198475
198595
198693
1987112
1988136
1989156
1990217
1991239
1992307
1993316
1994335
1995358
1996396
1997379
1998406
1999459
2000494
2001509
2002548
2003581
2004587
2005706
2006751
2007741
2008789
2009733
2010615
2011604
2012559
2013571
2014575
2015491
2016557
2017539
2018581
2019655
2020637
2021588
2022626
2023606
2024670