Jezabel is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Jezebel, a name with profound historical and religious weight derived from the Hebrew אִיזֶבֶל (ʾIzevel).EtymologyThe original Hebrew name likely originates from a Phoenician source, possibly containing the Semitic root zbl meaning "to exalt, to dwell." One scholarly theory suggests it may be an altered form of the Phoenician name Baʿlʾizbel , meaning "Ba'al exalts," with the divine element "Ba'al" later removed or corrupted in the Hebrew version.Biblical SignificanceIn the Hebrew Bible's Book of Kings, Jezebel appears as the Phoenician wife of King Ahab of Israel. According to 1 Kings 16–21 and 2 Kings 9, she is depicted as a powerful but malevolent figure who promoted the worship of the Canaanite god Ba'al, persecuted the prophets of Yahweh, and orchestrated the unjust execution of Naboth to seize his vineyard. The story climaxes in her defenestration and subsequent consumption by dogs, fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah (1 Kings 21:23; 2 Kings 9:30–37).In Christian scripture, the Book of Revelation (2:20–23) uses Jezebel as a symbolic name for a prophetess in Thyatira, accused of leading believers into idolatry and sexual immorality. Over centuries, "Jezebel" became a byword in Western culture for a shameless, scheming, or immoral woman, a stereotype that has been critically analyzed for its misogynistic undertones.Usage as a Personal NameGiven its overwhelmingly negative symbolic baggage, Jezabel is extremely rare as a given name in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, though it does occur. The name remains primarily associated with its biblical contrefort rather than contemporary use. Variants include the Biblical Greek Iezabel, Biblical German Isebel, and Biblical French Jézabel, among others listed in the NameHub database.Cultural NotorietyJezebel has permeated popular culture far beyond religious contexts, appearing in films, literature (e.g., the 1938 film Jezebel starring Bette Davis), music, and music, further entrenching the name's associations with shallowing cunning. Its enduring symbolic power continues to inspire academic discussion on the intersections of gender, power, and religion.Meaning: "unexalted" (popularly); from Phoenician meaning "Ba'al exalts"Origin: Spanish and Portuguese form of the biblical name JezebelGender: FeminineUsage: Rarely used in modern times due to negative connotations