Yoav is a Hebrew name of Biblical origin, meaning "he shall return." It is derived from the Hebrew word "Ya'av," which is a variant of Jacob's full name, Ya'akov. In the Bible, Yoav is most notably known as King David's nephew and a mighty warrior in his army. Throughout history, this name has been popular among Jewish families, both in Israel and the diaspora.
The name Yoav experienced a significant surge in popularity around the turn of the century, with a notable peak in 2004 and 2006, before tapering off slightly thereafter. However, it remains consistently present, with at least some births every year since 1970.