Yael is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "yal" which means "mountain goat." The name Yael is often associated with the biblical figure Yael, who was the wife of Heber and played a significant role in the story of Sisera in the Book of Judges.
The name Yael has been popular throughout history, particularly among Jewish communities. However, it gained wider recognition outside of the Jewish community in the mid-20th century when the character of Yael, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, was featured in the film "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 1959.
Today, Yael is considered a unique and beautiful name with a rich historical significance. It is often chosen by parents who appreciate its Hebrew origins and biblical connections, as well as those who simply like its sound and meaning.
The name Yael has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In the 1950s and early 1960s, the number of babies named Yael was quite low, with only five births recorded in 1954 and 1958. However, by the late 1960s, there was a noticeable increase, with 20 births in 1967 and 41 in 1968.
The 1970s marked a turning point for the name Yael, as it began to gain traction among parents. Between 1970 and 1979, there were an average of 35 births per year, with peaks reaching as high as 42 in 1976 and 55 in 1977.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Yael maintained a consistent level of popularity. The annual number of births hovered around 50-60, with some notable spikes such as 71 births in 1996 and 87 in 2000.
The new millennium brought an even greater surge in the name's popularity. Between 2000 and 2022, there was an average of nearly 125 births per year. Remarkably, in 2022 alone, there were 166 recorded births of Yael, indicating that this name has become quite fashionable among parents today.
In total, from 1954 to 2023, there have been approximately 4240 babies named Yael born in the United States. This data demonstrates the increasing popularity and enduring appeal of the name Yael across several generations.