"to ascend, to climb"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Yael
Does Yael flow with your last name?
A Hebrew heroine's name meaning mountain goat
Israeli
Jewish
Hebrew
French
Spiritual
Strong
Unique
Bold
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The Story of Yael
Yael is a Hebrew name meaning mountain goat or ibex, the wild goat that roamed the mountains of ancient Israel. The ibex was associated with grace, surefootedness, and strength in ancient Near Eastern cultures. In the Hebrew Bible, Jael (an alternate transliteration) was a heroic woman who defeated the Canaanite general Sisera, and her story is celebrated in the Book of Judges.
Yael is consistently popular in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. In France, it became fashionable in the 1980s-1990s among Jewish families. The name has gained broader Western appeal as Israeli names like Noa and Tamar have entered mainstream consciousness.
In Jewish tradition, Jael/Yael is celebrated as a heroine: Deborahs song in Judges praises her as most blessed of women. The mountain goat symbolism connects to the wild beauty of the land of Israel. The name has strong Israeli national identity.
Historical Record
Yael first appeared in US Social Security records in 1954.
Over 4,371 babies have been named Yael in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yael is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,602 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Yael appears in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5), one of the oldest texts in the Hebrew Bible
- In Israel, Yael consistently ranks among the top 20 girl names
- The alternate spelling Jael is used in Christian biblical tradition
Yael in Other Languages
French
Yael
Hebrew
יָעֵל
English
Jael (biblical)
Spanish
Yael
Popularity Over Time
#1,602
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yael
Y
Yael Stone
Actor
1984
Australian actress known for her role in Orange Is the New Black
Y
Yael Naim
Musician
1978
Israeli-French singer-songwriter known for the song New Soul
J
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,602
- Total SSA Count
- 131
- Cultural Origins
- Israeli Jewish Hebrew French
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Elle
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yael
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Yael is also used as a boy name, ranked #791.
View Yael as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Israeli)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yael
What does the name Yael mean?
"to ascend, to climb" (from Hebrew). Yael is a Hebrew name meaning mountain goat or ibex, the wild goat that roamed the mountains of ancient Israel. The ibex was associated with grace, surefootedness, and strength in ancient Near Eastern cultures. In the Hebrew Bible, Jael (an alternate transliteration) was a heroic woman who defeated the Canaanite general Sisera, and her story is celebrated in the Book of Judges.
What is the origin of the name Yael?
Yael has Hebrew, Israeli, Jewish, and French origins. In Hebrew, it means "to ascend, to climb".
Is Yael a boy or girl name?
Yael is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1602. As a boy name, it is ranked #791. Yael is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Yael?
Yael is currently ranked #1602 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yael?
Common nicknames for Yael include Elle.
What are good middle names for Yael?
Popular middle name pairings include Yael Miriam, Yael Ruth, Yael Sara, Yael Noa, Yael Avital, Yael Shira, and Yael Leah.
What are good sibling names for Yael?
Names that pair well with Yael as siblings include Noa, Tamar, Ariel, Lior, Eitan, Matan, and Shira.
How many syllables does Yael have?
Yael has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yael a common or rare name?
Yael is an uncommon name, ranked #1602 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Yael
Yael is a girl name with Israeli, Jewish, Hebrew, and French origins . The name means "to ascend, to climb" in Hebrew .
Is Yael a boy or girl name? Yael is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,602 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #791. Yael is more commonly used as a boy name.
Yael is currently ranked #1,602 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Yael has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yael include Elle. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis