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Joel

Boy name · 875 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Joel: 875 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 40 births in 2008.

Joel is a Biblical name of Hebrew origin, from *Yo’el* meaning “Yahweh is God,” combining the divine name with *El* (“God”). It belongs to the Old Testament prophet whose brief book warns of locust plagues and heralds a day of judgment. Famous bearers include filmmaker Joel Coen, one half of the Coen Brothers, and the West Indian cricketer Joel Garner, whose devastating yorkers terrorised batsmen in the 1970s and 80s. While no major places bear the name directly, the biblical Joel is a minor but enduring figure in Judeo-Christian tradition. A notable variant is the Spanish *Joel* (pronounced with two syllables), while the name’s steady popularity in Scotland reflects its cross-cultural appeal—familiar yet not overused, and fitting comfortably among classic Scottish first names.