Hazael is a unique and distinctive name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Semitic root "hzl", which means "to see" or "to perceive". In the context of the Hebrew Bible, Hazael is primarily known as a character in the Book of Kings.
In the Old Testament narrative, Hazael was a servant of the Syrian king Ben-Hadad II. After learning that he would become king himself, Hazael went to Elisha, the prophet, for confirmation. Elisha told him that he would indeed be king, but also warned him that he would bring great suffering upon Israel.
Despite its biblical association with hardship and adversity, the name Hazael has been adopted by various cultures throughout history as a personal name. In some cases, it may have been chosen for its unique sound or simply out of admiration for the historical figure bearing the name.
Today, Hazael is still relatively rare but can be found in diverse communities around the world. It remains a distinctive and meaningful name choice, imbued with historical significance and a strong sense of identity rooted in ancient tradition.
The name Hazael has seen a gradual increase in popularity over the past few years in the United States, with a total of 55 babies given this name since 2016. In 2016, there were only 5 births registered with this unique moniker. However, by 2021, that number had more than doubled, with 12 births recorded. This trend has continued into 2022, with another 8 newborns sharing the name Hazael.
While still relatively rare compared to some other names, the consistent rise in popularity of Hazael over recent years suggests that it may be becoming a more established choice among parents seeking distinctive yet meaningful names for their children.