The nameJoel
Joel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "the Lord is God". The name of a minor prophet, it is used in many languages.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Joel comes from the Hebrew Yo'el, "Yahweh is God".
Origin
Hebrew. Joel is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Bible; the Book of Joel is quoted by Saint Peter at Pentecost.
History
Joel was used by Puritans and became popular from the 1970s, reaching the top 70 in the United States and in England and Wales.
Did you know?
- The French chef Joël Robuchon held more Michelin stars than any other chef.
Famous people named Joel
- Joel, prophet of the Bible
- Billy Joel, singer (surname)
- Joel Coen, filmmaker
- Joel Embiid, basketball player
Popularity of the name Joel
Joel in the United States
Joel was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 43,981 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Joel. Its rise began around 1930, and it peaked in 1985. Half of all babies named Joel in the United States were born before 1981, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,763 births a year on average, against 2,310 in the five years before.
Joel in the United Kingdom
Joel was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 9,514 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Joel. Half of all babies named Joel in the United Kingdom were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 298 births a year on average, against 491 in the five years before.
Joel in France
Joel in Switzerland
Joel in Austria
Joel in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Joel
Names from the same generation as Joel, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Joel? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Joel with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Joel side by side with the name of your choice.
Joel in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joel mean?
Joel comes from the Hebrew Yo'el, "Yahweh is God".
What is the origin of the name Joel?
Hebrew. Joel is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Bible; the Book of Joel is quoted by Saint Peter at Pentecost.
Is Joel a girl's or a boy's name?
Joel is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Joel?
In 2024, Joel was the 219th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,633 births.
What are the variants of the name Joel?
Variants and related names of Joel include Joelle and Marie-Joëlle.
What are good sibling names for Joel?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Madeline, Ana, Daniela and Abigail for a sister, Miguel, Nathaniel, Aaron and Jesse for a brother.
Who are famous people named Joel?
Joel, prophet of the Bible; Billy Joel, singer (surname); Joel Coen, filmmaker; Joel Embiid, basketball player.