Joel
Gender: Boy
Meaning: God is Lord, Yahweh is God
Origin: Hebrew
Popularity: Ranked #219 in 2025 with 1,633 babies born.
History: Joel was a minor prophet in the Old Testament who authored the Book of Joel, which contains the famous prophecy of the outpouring of God's spirit. His name means Yahweh is God. It has been used in Jewish and Christian communities for millennia and remains popular across many cultures today.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Joel? About 1 in 2,031 babies born in 2025 were named Joel, or roughly 4.5 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Joel
What does the name Joel mean?
Joel means “God is Lord, Yahweh is God” from Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Joel?
Joel has Hebrew origin. The traditional meaning is “God is Lord, Yahweh is God”.
How popular is Joel?
Joel ranked #219 in 2025 — given to 1,633 babies that year.
When was Joel most popular?
Joel peaked in 1985 with 4,623 babies registered that year.
Is Joel a boy or girl name?
Joel is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Joels in registered births are male.
Is the name Joel rising or falling in popularity?
Joel has fallen 12 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #207 in 2020 to #219 in 2025.
How long has Joel been recorded?
Joel appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.