Jubal

Jubal is a male given name of Hebrew origin. In the Hebrew Bible, Jubal is described as the son of Lamech and Adah, a descendant of Cain, and “the father of all who play the lyre and pipe,” linking him to music. The exact meaning of the name is uncertain; some scholars propose a connection to Hebrew roots meaning “stream” or “flow,” while others treat it as a proper name without a definite semantic sense.

Biblical Jubal is the earliest known bearer of the name, but Jubal has appeared in various literary and historical contexts since. Notable figures include Jubal Anderson Early (1816–1896), a Confederate general in the American Civil War, and Jubal Harshaw, a fictional character in Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, depicted as a lawyer, physician, and writer.

Today, Jubal remains relatively uncommon as a given name in many regions but persists in historical and literary references. The name’s recognition largely rests on its biblical origin and its use by a small number of notable figures in history and fiction.