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Updated July 16, 2024

Table of contents

Boy name origins & meanings

  • Hebrew : The Lord is God

What Does Joel Mean and Stand For? 

The name Joel is of Hebrew origin, meaning "the Lord is God." It comes from the biblical personal name Joel. 

Syllables: 1

Boy name variations

How Popular Is The Name Joel

Family name origins & meanings

  • English : variant of Jewell.
  • French, German, and English : from the Biblical personal name Joel.

Famous people with this first name

Famous people who gave their babies this name

What Does the Name Joel Mean? 

The name Joel is a boys' name of Hebrew origin, meaning "the Lord is God." It is a biblical name, and the name of one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. 

The name gained popularity in 16th century England, after the Protestant Reformation. It continues to be a popular name today. 

How Popular is the Name Joel? 

Joel is the 207th most popular name in the U.S., according to Social Security Administration data. It has been consistently ranked since the year 2000. However, it is the 7th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com. 

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Joel was at its peak popularity in August 2017. 

Popularity of the Name Joel in the United States 

Joel was searched for most often in the following states: 

  • Pennsylvania 
  • New Jersey 
  • District of Columbia 
  • Delaware 
  • Connecticut 

Famous People named Joel and Joel in Pop Culture 

Famous Joels include film director Joel Coen, singer Joel Madden, actor Joel McHale, and Canadian music producer Joel "Deadmau5" Zimmerman. 

Movie characters named Joel include Joel Goodson from Risky Business, and Joel Barish from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Pairs Well with These Middle Names

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