Joël

Joël is a masculine given name used primarily in French-speaking regions. It is the French form of the Hebrew name Yo'el, meaning "Yahweh is God." The spelling includes a diaeresis on the e, Joël, which in French indicates that the two vowels form two syllables. The name is common in France, Belgium, francophone parts of Switzerland, and Canadian provinces with French heritage.

In the Bible, Yo'el (Joel) is a prophet and the name is borne by several biblical figures. In French usage, Joël is the standard form, while English texts often render the name as Joel without diacritics. The name has a broad cross-language presence, with localized variants and transliterations in other languages.

Notable individuals named Joël include the French chef Joël Robuchon, celebrated for his haute cuisine and numerous Michelin stars, and the Swiss author Joël Dicker, known for his novels including The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair. Today the name remains in use among French-speaking populations, sometimes shortened to Jo or used alongside related names such as Joel in bilingual contexts.