Yael Unisex

Popularity: #646 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YAH-el //jɑːˈɛl//

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: mountain goat

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Yael has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "ya'el," which translates to "mountain goat." This etymology reflects the name's connection to nature and strength, as the mountain goat is often associated with agility and resilience in rugged terrains. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Judges, where Yael is a prominent figure known for her bravery in defeating the Canaanite general Sisera, an act that symbolizes the triumph of the Israelites over their oppressors.

This biblical narrative has contributed to the name's enduring significance in Jewish culture and tradition. Historically, the name Yael has been used in various forms throughout the centuries.

In the context of the Hebrew Bible, the story of Yael dates back to the 12th century BCE, during the time of the Judges in ancient Israel. The narrative surrounding her character has been referenced in various religious texts and commentaries, emphasizing themes of courage and divine intervention.

The name has also been adopted in various Jewish communities, often reflecting a connection to heritage and identity. Culturally, Yael carries connotations of strength and valor, resonating with ideals of heroism in Jewish tradition.

The name has been celebrated in literature and art, often symbolizing the qualities of a strong and resourceful individual. In addition to its biblical roots, Yael has also been embraced in modern Hebrew-speaking communities, where it continues to evoke the historical and cultural significance associated with its origins.

The name's association with the mountain goat further enhances its symbolic meaning, representing agility and the ability to navigate challenges.

Famous people named Yael

In this section, you will find notable people named Yael. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yael who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Yael who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Yael Stone is an actress best known for Orange Is the New Black, The Daughter, and High Ground.

Yael Naim is a singer-songwriter best known for her song New Soul, and albums Yael Naim and She Was a Boy.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yael, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EliNoahAriLeviZivTalia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Yael. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

YairYosefYoniYaakovYasminYarden

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Yael was first seen in the United States in 1954.

Yael has ranked as high as #1229 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Yael has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Yael is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yael was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yael.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 431 304 127
2024 452 320 132
2023 472 329 143
2022 391 225 166
2021 348 211 137
2020 343 206 137
2019 338 222 116
2018 331 225 106
2017 316 197 119
2016 308 182 126
2015 286 178 108
2014 346 235 111
2013 344 243 101
2012 346 238 108
2011 286 179 107
2010 334 219 115
2009 330 223 107
2008 320 226 94
2007 298 212 86
2006 269 180 89
2005 234 159 75
2004 231 139 92
2003 191 111 80
2002 149 64 85
2001 121 32 89
2000 115 28 87
1999 97 28 69
1998 92 25 67
1997 77 15 62
1996 84 13 71
1995 48 0 48
1994 56 11 45
1993 58 0 58
1992 62 0 62
1991 67 0 67
1990 63 7 56
1989 59 7 52
1988 57 0 57
1987 61 9 52
1986 61 0 61
1985 41 0 41
1984 62 5 57
1983 56 0 56
1982 57 0 57
1981 44 0 44
1980 45 0 45
1979 38 0 38
1978 51 0 51
1977 55 0 55
1976 42 0 42
1975 34 0 34
1974 33 0 33
1973 27 0 27
1972 30 0 30
1971 27 0 27
1970 22 0 22
1969 29 0 29
1968 41 0 41
1967 20 0 20
1966 8 0 8
1965 10 0 10
1964 11 0 11
1963 10 0 10
1962 11 0 11
1961 8 0 8
1960 6 0 6
1959 8 0 8
1958 5 0 5
1954 5 0 5

Top States for Yael (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 84
23%
NY 54
15%
TX 51
14%
FL 37
10%
NJ 24
6%
PA 17
5%
AZ 12
3%
IL 12
3%
VA 10
3%
WA 10
3%
CO 10
3%
MD 9
2%
GA 8
2%
NC 8
2%
WI 7
2%
IN 7
2%
NV 6
2%
TN 5
1%