Yael

♂ Boy

Pronounced yah-EL /jɑˈɛl/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew ya'el, meaning 'mountain goat' or 'ibex', an animal associated in ancient Israelite culture with grace, sure-footedness, and wilderness strengthHigh

In 30 seconds: Yael is a strong biblical Hebrew name meaning mountain goat or ibex, evoking sure-footed strength and wilderness grace. Though traditionally feminine in the Bible, it is widely used for boys in modern Israel.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningFrom the Hebrew ya'el, meaning 'mountain goat' or 'ibex', an animal associated in ancient Israelite culture with grace, sure-footedness, and wilderness strength

U.S. rank (2025)#818 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births304 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,203

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Yael derives from the Hebrew ya'el, meaning 'mountain goat' or 'ibex'. In the Hebrew Bible, Yael is the wife of Heber the Kenite who kills the Canaanite commander Sisera in Judges 4–5, celebrated in the ancient poetic passage known as the Song of Deborah. The name carries connotations of courage, stealth, and decisive action.

Although the biblical Yael was a woman, in modern Israeli Hebrew the name is used for both boys and girls. Outside Israel it appears predominantly as a girls name in English-speaking and European Jewish communities, but its use for boys is growing. The name's connection to wild, mountain terrain gives it an adventurous, nature-connected quality.

Did you know? In the Book of Judges, Yael (a woman) killed the Canaanite general Sisera by driving a tent peg through his head while he slept, earning her the title of hero in the Song of Deborah — one of the oldest passages in the Hebrew Bible.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Yael — Hebrew etymology and biblical backgroundJudges 4–5, Hebrew Bible — biblical narrative source

Variations

JaelYale

Nicknames

Yali

Famous Bearers

★Yael (biblical figure) (biblical)
Heroine of the Book of Judges who killed the Canaanite commander Sisera; celebrated in the Song of Deborah.
★Yael Naim (1978–present)
Israeli-French singer-songwriter best known for her song New Soul, used in a 2008 Apple MacBook Air advertisement.

If you like Yael…

Ari— shares the Hebrew origin, two-syllable form, and Israeli usage

Eli— fellow biblical Hebrew name with the same crisp short vowel sound

Elan— similar Hebrew nature-connected meaning with modern Israeli feel

Ori— same Hebrew root environment and the -i/-el ending pattern

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yael mean?

Yael comes from Hebrew and means mountain goat or ibex, an animal symbolizing grace and sure-footed strength.

How do you pronounce Yael?

It is said yah-EL, with two syllables.

Is Yael a boy or girl name?

In the Bible Yael was a woman, but in modern Israel the name is used for both boys and girls. Outside Israel it is more commonly given to girls in Western communities.

Is Yael a common name?

Yael is common in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, and is gaining broader use in the United States.