Azariah is a masculine name derived from the Hebrew name עֲזַרְיָה (ʿAzarya), meaning "Yahweh has helped." The name is composed of the Hebrew element ʿazar ("help") and yah, a shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew God. It appears in the Old Testament as the name of several individuals, reflecting its popularity in ancient Israelite culture. The name is particularly associated with courage and divine assistance, as seen in its most famous bearer: Azariah, one of the three young men who, along with Hananiah and Mishael, were thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar but miraculously survived. His Babylonian name was Abednego. Etymology and Meaning The name Azariah comes from the Hebrew verb ʿāzar meaning "to help" and the divine name Yah, a poetic form of Yahweh. The combined meaning "Yahweh has helped" conveys gratitude and recognition of God's assistance, making it a fitting expression of faith in divine providence. This theophoric structure is common in Hebrew names, with other examples including Jeremiah and Isaiah, where the divine name is preceded or followed by a verb or attribute. Notable Bearers in the Hebrew Bible The name Azariah is borne by numerous biblical figures. According to the Wikipedia extract, one is Azariah (high priest) who served under King Solomon (1 Kings 4:2). Another is Azariah II, a high priest during the reign of King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:17–20). The prophet Azariah is known from 2 Chronicles 15:1–8, though he is not considered one of the major literary prophets. King Uzziah of Judah was also known as Azariah (2 Kings 15:1–7). In the Book of Daniel, Azariah is the original Hebrew name of Abednego. Two non-priestly figures named Azariah also appear as commanders of hundreds in Jehoiada's campaign to restore Joash (2 Chronicles 23:1). Cultural and Religious Significance Beyond the Bible, Azariah appears in apocryphal and later traditions. In the Book of Tobit (Deuterocanonical), an angel takes the name Azariah while acting as a guide for Tobias, which reinforces the theme of divine help. The name has been used in Jewish, Christian, and some Muslim contexts, but is more common in religious settings than in general usage. Variants include Azarias (Biblical Latin), 'Azarya (Biblical Hebrew), and Azaria (modern Hebrew). Summary of Key Facts Meaning: Yahweh has helped Origin: Hebrew, from elements ʿazar (help) and yah (Yahweh) Type: First name, masculine Usage: English Bible (primarily Biblical contexts) Related Names: Azarias, 'Azarya, Azaria; root name Yahweh Famous Bearers: Abednego (from Daniel), King Uzziah, multiple priests and prophets in the Old Testament