Azarias

Azarias is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, most often rendered in English as Azariah. The name means “Yahweh has helped” or “God has helped,” and it appears in several Hebrew Bible passages in various forms. The form Azarias is a Latinized or Anglicized variant that has appeared in some translations and historical writings.

In biblical usage, Azariah occurs for multiple individuals. The best‑known bearer in common English Bible readings is the Hebrew name of one of Daniel’s companions who, in Babylonian tradition, was given the name Abednego. In this context, Azariah is the original Hebrew name corresponding to Abednego, one of the youths who remain faithful in the face of empire and participate in the fiery furnace narrative. Beyond this figure, the name is attributed to other priests and officials in different historical periods within the Hebrew Bible, reflecting its common usage in ancient Israel and Judah.

Outside the biblical text, Azarias has continued to be used as a given name in Jewish and Christian communities, and it has appeared in various historical and religious writings in Europe and the Middle East. In modern times, forms such as Azariah and Azarias are encountered in Hebrew, Christian, and liturgical contexts, as well as in some secular records, where it may be anglicized or adapted to local naming conventions.

Variants and related names include Azariah, Azaria, Azari, and the Latinized Azarias. These forms share the same root and meaning, and their usage diverges by language, tradition, and era. See also Azariah and Abednego for closely related biblical references.