Yael
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: Mountain goat, ibex, to ascend
Origin: Hebrew
Popularity: Ranked #818 in 2025 with 304 babies born.
History: Yael surged in the 2010s-2020s as a Hebrew name meaning 'mountain goat' — but in the Bible, Yael is far more than that. She kills the enemy general Sisera with a tent peg — one of the most dramatic acts in the Old Testament. Yael represents biblical women of action — not passive, not waiting, but decisive and fierce.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Yael? About 1 in 7,723 babies born in 2025 were named Yael, or roughly 1.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Yael
What does the name Yael mean?
Yael means “Mountain goat, ibex, to ascend” from Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Yael?
Yael has Hebrew origin. The traditional meaning is “Mountain goat, ibex, to ascend”.
How popular is Yael?
Yael ranked #817 in 2025 — given to 304 babies that year.
When was Yael most popular?
Yael peaked in 2023 with 328 babies registered that year.
Is Yael a boy or girl name?
Yael is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 54% of Yaels are boys and 46% are girls.
Is the name Yael rising or falling in popularity?
Yael has risen 730 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #1547 in 2020 to #817 in 2025.
How long has Yael been recorded?
Yael appears in birth records across 69 years — from 1954 through 2025.