Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Jael
UnisexHebrew· “mountain goat”
- Meaning
- mountain goat
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- jay-EHL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,393
- US babies 2025
- 157
- Best rank
- #1,197 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2012
Meaning and origin of Jael
Jael is a Hebrew name that means “mountain goat”.
Jael comes from the Hebrew Ya'el, meaning mountain goat or ibex, an animal admired for its grace and sure footing on rocky slopes. In the Book of Judges, Jael is a heroine who kills the enemy general Sisera, and she is praised in the Song of Deborah. In Israel the name Yael is very popular for girls, and in Latin America Jael is used for both boys and girls. Pronunciations vary, including jay-EHL, YAH-ehl and JAYL. It is short and distinctive, with a strong biblical background.
Popularity over time
Jael first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,197 in 2012, the same year it reached its highest count of 206 babies. In 2025, 157 babies were named Jael, and it ranked #1,393 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,896 in 1980, #1,944 in 2000, #1,423 in 2010, and #1,393 in 2025. Of the 4,561 US girls named Jael since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,106 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Taylin, Braylin, Damani, Brighton, and Damoni.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jael ranked highest in Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #588 | 9 |
| Tennessee | #841 | 8 |
| Maryland | #895 | 5 |
| Florida | #930 | 17 |
| Georgia | #939 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Jael is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 52% of US babies named Jael were girls and 48% were boys.
Jael is usually pronounced jay-EHL, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with J and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Jael
A few middle names that flow with Jael: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jael
Similar names
Lael Unisex
LAY-ehl
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AY-dee-el
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Gabriel Boy
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Nathaniel Boy
nuh-THAN-yuhl
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ih-ZEE-kee-uhl
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Axel Boy
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Miguel Boy
mee-GEHL
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Emmanuel Boy
ih-MAN-yoo-uhl
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Lists that include Jael
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jael mean?
Jael is a Hebrew name that means “mountain goat”.
What is the origin of the name Jael?
Jael has Hebrew roots. Jael comes from the Hebrew Ya'el, meaning mountain goat or ibex, an animal admired for its grace and sure footing on rocky slopes.
Is Jael a popular name?
Not especially. Jael ranked #1,393 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jael a boy or girl name?
Jael is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 52% of US babies named Jael were girls and 48% were boys.
How do you pronounce Jael?
Jael is usually pronounced jay-EHL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings