Well, here it is....
----------
Azraphael, version 1:
According to certain rare Hebrew Cabbalist texts, 'Azraphael' is/was the name of the angel charged with guarding the gate (west, I think) of Eden, armed with a flaming sword. When Adam & Eve were cast out of Eden, Azraphael took pity on them, and presented Adam with the sword, that they might make fire and survive in the wilderness. The man upstairs didn't think much of this, so Azraphael was no longer welcome in Heaven, but had no desire to join the fallen angels in Hell, either.
So, the legend is that Azraphael still walks the Earth among the people who owe their existence largely to his act of kindness.
Azraphael, version 2:
Featured as the character 'Aziraphale' in the novel
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. The authors kept much of the above legend intact in developing the character.
Azraphael, version 3:
A combination of the names of two arcangels, Azrael and Raphael. Also likely related the legend previously mentioned in version 1.
----------
I chose the name largely due to my personal fascination with the ancient (pre-bible and old testament) version of angels. This idea of the angel as a being is also featured prominently in
Paradise Lost by John Milton, and
The Prophecy series of films, starring Christopher Walken. Essentially, the premise is that angels are
not all about clouds, harps and sunshine. Rather, they are essentially God's messengers and enforcers. Not to say they are incapable of kindness, mind you, but they are the ultimate tragic creature: direct servants of their God, but having to perform moral atrocities as part of that service.
To (roughly) quote the film
The Prophecy, which deals with this idea:
"Have you ever noticed how in the bible whenever God needed to make an example, or punish someone, or whenever God needed a killing, he sent an angel? Have you ever wondered what a creature like that must be like? A whole existence spent praising God, but with one wing always dipped in blood... would you ever really want to meet an angel?"
So, the really short version is that I read too much, it's a topic I'm very interested in, and I think it's a cool sounding name.
Wow..... I'm a geek.
Dave
PS: Aren't you glad you asked?