Joel: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced JOHL · 1 syllable
From Hebrew (yo'el, “Yahweh (is) God”). As a medieval French and English given name, it is also from Breton Judicael (related to Joyce and Jocelyn). Cf. Elijah.
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JOHL
- US rank (2025)
- #219
- US babies a year
- about 1,747 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1980
- Style
- Biblical, Classic
How popular is Joel?
Joel was the #219 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,639 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 38% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1980.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #219 |
| England & Wales | #161 |
| Scotland | #204 |
| Northern Ireland | #103 |
| Ireland | #491 |
| France | #672 |
| Norway | #176 |
| Canada | #387 |
| Australia | #913 |
How old are people named Joel?
Half of US adults named Joel are older than 46; most are between 20 and 77. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Joel
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Joel have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
- Avram
- Mikayla
- Jean-Patrick
- Persephone
- Nash
- Zaki
- Benjamin
- Aleix
- Aurore
- Magali
- Jordan
- Vilma
Names like Joel
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Joel
How do you pronounce Joel?
Joel is pronounced JOHL.
How popular is the name Joel?
Joel was the #219 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,639 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 38% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1980.
How old are people named Joel?
Half of US adults named Joel are older than 46. Most are between 20 and 77.