Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Orel

Orel

♂ Boy

Pronounced or-EL /ɔːˈrɛl/Medium

Meaning: From Hebrew Or-El, 'light of God' — or ('light') plus El ('God'). Separately, Oryol/Orel is a Russian city whose name means 'eagle.' In American use the Hebrew reading dominates; the pitcher Orel Hershiser made the name familiar.Low

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew name of light: Orel means 'light of God' (said 'or-EL').
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumHebrew, Russian
MeaningFrom Hebrew Or-El, 'light of God' — or ('light') plus El ('God'). Separately, Oryol/Orel is a Russian city whose name means 'eagle.' In American use the Hebrew reading dominates; the pitcher Orel Hershiser made the name familiar.
U.S. rank (2024)#13663 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1916
Total births (all-time)≈ 556

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191618832024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Orel is a Hebrew name from or ('light') and El ('God') — 'light of God' — one of a large family of El- names. In Russian, Oryol is a city and a word for 'eagle,' an unrelated coincidence of spelling. In the U.S. the name is best known from the pitcher Orel Hershiser (said 'or-EL').

In the U.S. it is very rare for boys. Rare, Hebrew, and luminous.

Did you know? Orel is Hebrew or ('light') plus El ('God') — 'light of God.' The same string of letters names a Russian city whose meaning is 'eagle'; the two are unrelated (said 'or-EL').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Orel — Hebrew or + El 'light of God'; Russian Oryol 'eagle'

Variations

OrellOr-ElOriel

Nicknames

OrRel

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Orel…

Ariel— a like Hebrew El- name
Uriel— a similar 'light of God' name
Oren— a like short Hebrew pick
Ari— a similar Hebrew choice

Explore names like Orel

By themehebrewrarefaithlight

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Orel mean?

Orel is Hebrew for 'light of God' — or ('light') plus El ('God'). A Russian city of the same spelling means 'eagle.'

How do you pronounce Orel?

It's said or-EL /ɔːˈrɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Orel a boy or girl name?

Orel is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Orel?

Orel is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia