Origin, Meaning, And History Of Yael
Yael is a unisex name of Hebrew origin. It means a ‘mountain goat’ referring to an ‘Ibex,’ a species of wild goat characterized by its large curved horns. The Nubian Ibex is mostly found in the Middle East and the African countries of Sudan and Egypt. The name’s link to a mountain goat also signifies its strength and ability to climb higher, as the word is derived from the phrase ‘he goes up.’
In Israel, Yael means ‘God’s strength.’ It is also written as Jael, which is its most prominent variant. Jael has a Biblical connection. According to the Book of Judges, Jael, the wife of a Kenite, helped protect Israel from the army of Canaan. Her single-handed act of valor brought her name honor and pride.
The name Yael, also written as Ya’el or Yaël, was used as a feminine name through the 1970s and 1980s, after which the name lost its appeal until it regained interest in the early 2000s and was used as a masculine name thereafter. It is also written as Iael, Iaël, Jael, and Jaël. It may not have many famous name-bearers, but it has certainly not lost its allure as former American President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, took up the name Yael after converting to Judaism.
Yael finds a place not only in history but also in the works of fiction. Yael is a character in the 2011 historical fiction novel,The Dovekeepersby Alice Hoffman. Yael “Yaeli” Ashkenazi is a character in the OTT Israeli seriesWhen Heroes Fly. Canadian TV seriesDegrassi: Next Classalso has a character named Yael Baron, one of the show’s main leads.
It can concur that this Jewish name has left a mark in the past and is also becoming popular in the present with its use in popular culture. Hence, Yael can be a good choice if you are looking for a unique name.
How To Pronounce Yael?
Famous People With The Name Yael
- Yael AradFormer Israeli judo player, the first Israeli woman to win an Olympic gold medal
- Yael Cohen BraunSouth African-Canadian businesswoman, founder of a cancer detection and prevention organization
- Yael Friedman AverbuchFormer American soccer player
- Yael YuzonFilipino music artist popular for being a part of the band Sponge Cola
- Yael MeyerChilean musician, co-owner of music company KLI Records and Publishing
Yael On The Popularity Chart
The name may have historical importance but it has not been able to capture parent’s attention. Its journey through the popularity chart has been rough and filled with ups and downs.
Popularity Over Time
As observed in the chart below, in the 1980s the name was rare in the US. But it picked up slowly in the subsequent decades and reached its height of popularity in 2013 before dropping in the following years.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name has consistently been in the lower ranks. It ranked 18,209, which was also its best rank, in 1987. After falling through the years, in 2020, it marked an improvement in popularity as its rank rose to 18,458.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Yael
If the unique pronunciation of Yael fascinates you, here is a list of names that have a similar sound.
Popular Sibling Names For Yael
Other Popular Names Beginning With Y
Names With Similar Meaning As Yael
If you like what the name Yael represents, then you can look for more options having similar meanings. Have a glance at the list below.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Yael
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Yael?
The name Yael means mountain goat.
2. What is the origin of the name Yael?
Yael has a Hebrew origin.
