Joel

Yahweh is God — a boy name of Hebrew origin

GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
MeaningYahweh is God
PronunciationJOHL

Popularity of Joel in the United States

#219Rank in 2025
1,633Births in 2025
#65 in 1981Peak Popularity
↓ Declining10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Joel

Joel comes from the Hebrew name Yoel, meaning "Yahweh is God." In the Old Testament, Joel was one of the twelve minor prophets whose writings contain the famous passage about pouring out God's spirit on all people, later quoted in the New Testament at Pentecost. The name has been used by English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, when biblical names became fashionable. Joel has a crisp, modern feel despite its ancient origins, and it works well across many languages and cultures, making it a popular international choice.

Joel Around the World

Joel is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 10+ international variants.

Languages
EnglishCatalan
Details

Female FormJoelle

International Variants
JoëlFrench
JóelIcelandic
JoeEnglish
GioeleItalian
Yoel
Joely
Jodel
Joele
JuelNorwegian
Joéli

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Joel

JoeJoeyJo

Famous People Named Joel

  • Joel Coen — American filmmaker
  • Billy Joel — American singer-songwriter and pianist
  • Joel Embiid — Cameroonian-American basketball player

Similar Names to Joel

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Sibling Name Ideas for Joel

Looking for names that pair well with Joel? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Joel mean?

Joel is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh is God." Joel comes from the Hebrew name Yoel, meaning "Yahweh is God." In the Old Testament, Joel was one of the twelve minor prophets whose writings contain the famous passage about pouring out God's spirit on all people, later quoted in the New Testament at Pentecost.

How do you pronounce Joel?

Joel is pronounced JOHL. Common variations include Yoel, Joele, Joell.

Is Joel a boy name?

Yes, Joel is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Joe, Joey, Jo.

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