Joel Boy

Popularity: #208 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Hebrew; English

Meaning

Hebrew: Jehovah is God; English: to be or to become

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Joel has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the name Yoel, meaning 'Yahweh is God.' It appears in the Old Testament as the name of a prophet. The name has been used in various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries, since the Protestant Reformation, gaining popularity in the 19th century. Joel has been a consistent choice for boys, reflecting a blend of religious significance and traditional appeal.

Trend Summary

The name Joel has seen a steady presence in the U.S. popularity charts, remaining a classic choice for boys.

Similar Names

Jonah, Josiah, Julian, Jordan, Jasper, Jace, Jett

Variants

  • Jo
  • Joey

International Variants

  • Yoel (Spanish)
  • Jóel (Portuguese)
  • Joël (French)

Famous people named Joel

Joel Osteen is a prominent American pastor and author known for his motivational speaking and television ministry.

Joel McHale is an American actor and comedian, recognized for his role in the television series 'Community.'.

Joel Grey is an acclaimed American actor and singer, best known for his role in the musical 'Cabaret.'.

Joel Embiid is a professional basketball player from Cameroon, known for his career in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Fictional characters named Joel

Joel Barish is a character in the film 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,' portrayed by Jim Carrey.

Joel Miller is a central character in the video game series 'The Last of Us,' known for his protective nature.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Joel was first seen in the United States in 1880. Joel has ranked as high as #130 nationally which occurred in 1985 and has been most popular in Texas, California, New York, Florida, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Joel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Joel (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 265
17%
CA 229
15%
NY 106
7%
FL 85
6%
OH 65
4%
NC 59
4%
GA 57
4%
IL 47
3%
PA 43
3%
AZ 41
3%
VA 37
2%
MD 36
2%
IN 36
2%
WA 29
2%
TN 25
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188041
188157
188254
188351
188456
188556
188649
188748
188848
188937
189037
189131
189239
189352
189444
189537
189637
189731
189848
189937
190035
190134
190238
190332
190443
190548
190649
190754
190845
190950
191055
191159
1912129
1913167
1914200
1915272
1916282
1917308
1918348
1919358
1920346
1921395
1922368
1923348
1924377
1925379
1926379
1927392
1928415
1929420
1930455
1931477
1932623
1933666
1934815
1935919
19361,060
19371,116
19381,262
19391,295
19401,278
19411,339
19421,595
19431,745
19441,714
19451,597
19461,999
19472,144
19482,026
19491,987
19502,043
19512,162
19522,229
19532,302
19542,596
19552,806
19563,436
19573,604
19583,224
19593,458
19603,710
19613,520
19623,298
19633,235
19643,136
19652,861
19663,230
19673,478
19683,683
19693,680
19703,840
19713,499
19723,528
19733,570
19743,492
19753,728
19763,725
19773,823
19783,810
19794,216
19804,565
19814,540
19824,446
19834,345
19844,524
19854,623
19864,506
19874,138
19883,939
19893,940
19904,000
19913,760
19923,665
19933,558
19943,368
19953,100
19963,004
19972,989
19983,172
19993,184
20003,380
20013,167
20023,191
20033,245
20043,236
20053,273
20063,455
20073,422
20083,743
20093,564
20103,065
20113,056
20122,778
20132,727
20142,670
20152,602
20162,427
20172,261
20182,132
20192,094
20201,842
20211,797
20221,780
20231,741
20241,633