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Yandel

♂ Boy

Pronounced YAHN-del /ˈjɑn.dɛl/High

Meaning: Modern Puerto Rican coinage popularized by reggaeton star Yandel (Llandel Veguilla Malavé), of no documented traditional meaningLow

In 30 seconds: A name with a beat: Yandel rode out of Puerto Rican reggaeton — half of the duo Wisin & Yandel — and onto American birth certificates. The dembow did what etymology never had to.
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Origin MediumPuerto Rican, American
MeaningModern Puerto Rican coinage popularized by reggaeton star Yandel (Llandel Veguilla Malavé), of no documented traditional meaning
U.S. rank (2024)#3317 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,693

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200920012024

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

History & Origin

Yandel entered the name pool through Llandel 'Yandel' Veguilla Malavé of Wisin & Yandel, reggaeton's defining duo from Cayey, Puerto Rico; the stage name reworks his given Llandel, itself a modern Puerto Rican creation in the island's fertile Y-and-L naming style. No older etymology exists — the music is the origin.

As the genre conquered the 2000s and 2010s, Yandel climbed steadily among U.S. Latino families. It remains uncommon nationally — a name you can practically dance to.

Did you know? Wisin & Yandel, 'the Dynamic Duo' of reggaeton, won Grammys and filled stadiums for two decades — and their stage names became real boys' names across the Spanish-speaking U.S.
Overall data confidence 65%
U.S. Social Security Administration name files — emergence following reggaeton fame

Variations

LlandelYandielYandell

Nicknames

Yan

Famous Bearers

  • ★Yandel (1977–present)
    Puerto Rican reggaeton singer, half of the Grammy-winning duo Wisin & Yandel.

If you like Yandel…

Yadiel— a fellow Puerto Rican Y-name of the same generation
Yaziel— another modern pick
Abriel— shares the -el ending
Deon— the same modern feel
Kymir— a fellow American choice

Browse the whole category: All Puerto Rican names →  ·  All American names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yandel mean?

Yandel is a modern Puerto Rican coinage with no traditional meaning, popularized by the reggaeton star Yandel of Wisin & Yandel.

How do you pronounce Yandel?

It's said YAHN-del /ˈjɑn.dɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Yandel a boy or girl name?

Yandel is a boy's name.

How popular is Yandel?

Yandel is uncommon nationally and well known among U.S. Latino families.