Yael

Boy Name #791 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A Hebrew hero's name meaning 'mountain goat'

Israeli Jewish French American

Spiritual Strong Unique Bold Modern

Meaning & Origin

"mountain goat, to ascend"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"wild goat (ibex)"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Yael

Yael (also spelled Jael) is a Hebrew name meaning 'mountain goat' or metaphorically 'to ascend'. In the Hebrew Bible, Yael is a heroic figure in the Book of Judges who kills the Canaanite general Sisera, saving the Israelites. The name carries connotations of courage and strength. Though traditionally feminine in the Bible, Yael is used for both genders in modern Israel and increasingly in the diaspora.

Yael has been popular in Israel for decades for both boys and girls. In France, Yael has grown significantly as a name for Jewish families and increasingly for non-Jewish families who appreciate its Biblical roots and distinctive sound. In the United States, Yael has risen steadily as Hebrew names have gained broader appeal.

The biblical Yael (Judges 4-5) is celebrated as a heroine who protected her people. The name is widely used in modern Israel across religious and secular families. French singer Yael Naim and Israeli pop stars have given the name a modern creative association.

Fun Facts

Yael is one of the heroines of the Bible, celebrated in the Song of Deborah as a savior of Israel
In modern Israel, Yael is used for both boys and girls, though slightly more common for girls
French singer Yael Naim wrote 'New Soul', which became famous as an Apple MacBook Air advertisement

Yael in Other Languages

Arabic يائيل

French Yaël

German Jaël

Hebrew יָעֵל

Spanish Yael

Famous People Named Yael

Yael Averbuch

Athlete

1984

American professional soccer player and former US Women's National Team member

Yael Naim

Musician

1978

Israeli-French singer-songwriter known for 'New Soul', used in Apple's MacBook Air campaign

Yael (Biblical Heroine)

Other

Heroine of the Book of Judges who killed the Canaanite general Sisera, celebrated in the Song of Deborah

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #791
Total SSA Count: 317
Cultural Origins: Israeli Jewish French American
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Pairs Well With

Yael David Yael Elias Yael Oren Yael Barak Yael Levi Yael Aaron

Sibling Names

Asher Naomi Lior Tali Eden Eitan

Also a Girl Name

Yael is also used as a girl name, ranked #1602.

View Yael as a girl name →

Similar Names

Joella Joseph Joe Joshua Joel Josh Royal Jules

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yael

What does the name Yael mean?

"mountain goat, to ascend" (from Hebrew). "wild goat (ibex)" (from Hebrew). Yael (also spelled Jael) is a Hebrew name meaning 'mountain goat' or metaphorically 'to ascend'. In the Hebrew Bible, Yael is a heroic figure in the Book of Judges who kills the Canaanite general Sisera, saving the Israelites. The name carries connotations of courage and strength. Though traditionally feminine in the Bible, Yael is used for both genders in modern Israel and increasingly in the diaspora.

What is the origin of the name Yael?

Yael has Hebrew, Israeli, Jewish, French, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "mountain goat, to ascend". In Hebrew, it means "wild goat (ibex)".

Is Yael a boy or girl name?

Yael is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #791. As a girl name, it is ranked #1602. Yael is more commonly used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Yael?

Yael is currently ranked #791 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Yael?

Popular middle name pairings include Yael David, Yael Elias, Yael Oren, Yael Barak, Yael Levi, and Yael Aaron.

What are good sibling names for Yael?

Names that pair well with Yael as siblings include Asher, Naomi, Lior, Tali, Eden, and Eitan.

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 moderately common, ranked #791 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Yael

Yael is a boy name with Israeli, Jewish, French, and American origins . The name means "mountain goat, to ascend" in Hebrew .

Is Yael a boy or girl name? Yael is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #791 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,602. Yael is more commonly used as a boy name.

Yael is currently ranked #791 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Yael has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.