Phanouel is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Penuel, appearing in the Old Testament and in later Christian tradition. The name derives from the Hebrew elements pana meaning "to turn to" and ʾel meaning "God," giving the meaning "facing God." In the Greek Septuagint, the name Penuel is transliterated as Phanouel (Φανουήλ), preserving the original Hebrew pronunciation. Biblical and Cultural Significance In the Bible, Penuel is the name of a place and a person. According to Genesis 32:30, Jacob named the place Penuel (or Peniel) after wrestling with an angel, saying, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life was preserved." The related form Phanuel appears in later Jewish and Christian lore, most notably in the Book of Enoch, where the angel Phanuel is one of the four archangels, tasked with repentance and binding. This variant, Phanuel, is distinct from Phanouel but ultimately from the same root. The Greek form Phanouel is considered an archaic usage, primarily found in biblical translations and religious texts. It belongs to a group of names attested in the Septuagint and early Christian writings, reflecting the Hellenization of Hebrew names during the Greco-Roman period. Its usage today is rare, even as baby name, and mostly confined to Christian communities in Greece or the Orthodox diaspora. Meaning: Facing God Origin: Hebrew; Greek transliteration Type: Biblical, mainly male Usage region: Greek-speaking Christian communities, notably in early biblical contexts Related forms: Penuel (Biblical Hebrew), Phanuhel (Latin), Phunihel (Latin), Phanuel (Judeo-Christian legend)