Joel
Joel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Yahweh is God.
Origin and history
Joel is a classic biblical name derived from the Hebrew name Yo'el, meaning 'Yahweh is God'. It has been continuously used in the Western world since the Protestant Reformation. In the United States, it remains a steadily popular and traditional choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
279,655 babies in the United States have been named Joel since 1880. It ranks #135 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #214.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.5 %)
- TX (10.8 %)
- NY (9.8 %)
- IL (4.5 %)
- PA (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 497 |
| 1890-1900 | 393 |
| 1900-1910 | 428 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,178 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,819 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,689 |
| 1940-1950 | 17,424 |
| 1950-1960 | 27,859 |
| 1960-1970 | 33,832 |
| 1970-1980 | 37,228 |
| 1980-1990 | 43,566 |
| 1990-2000 | 33,804 |
| 2000-2010 | 33,681 |
| 2010-2019 | 25,821 |
| 2020-2029 | 10,436 |
Famous people named Joel
- Joel Coen: Director, Screenwriter
- Joel Edgerton: Actor, Director
- Joel McHale: Actor, Comedian
Fun facts
- The Book of Joel in the Old Testament consists of a series of prophetic lamentations and promises of restoration.
- Joel has ranked among the top 1,000 male names in the United States every single year since SSA records began in 1880.