📖 About Jael
Jael is a feminine Hebrew name, an alternate spelling of Yael, meaning "mountain goat" or "to ascend." It is most famous as the name of the bold biblical heroine in the Book of Judges who killed the Canaanite general Sisera, an act celebrated in the "Song of Deborah" — one of the oldest poetic texts in the Hebrew Bible. Long favored in Jewish and Protestant communities for its fierce, independent spirit, Jael has enjoyed a modern revival in Israel and French-speaking communities, prized for its ancient roots and sharp, distinctive sound. Notable bearers include Olympic medalist Yael Arad and singer Yael Naim.
📍 Details
- OriginHebrew
- Gender♀ Female
- MeaningVariant of Yael. Mountain goat, to ascend
🔀 Variants & Related Names
⭐ Famous People
- Jael (biblical figure) — Heroine of the Book of Judges (c.12th century BC) who killed the Canaanite general Sisera and ended the oppression of the Israelites; celebrated in the "Song of Deborah," one of the oldest texts in the Hebrew Bible.
- Yael Arad — Israeli judoka and the first Israeli athlete to win an Olympic medal (silver, 1992 Barcelona Games), a national hero in Israel and longtime head of the Israeli Olympic Committee.
- Yael Naim — Israeli-French singer-songwriter (born 1978), internationally known for her song "New Soul," used in a landmark Apple MacBook Air advertisement in 2008, blending Hebrew, French, and English in her music.
- Jael Anderson — Canadian singer and media personality (born 1984), known by the stage name Jael, who represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "If We All Give a Little."