Rising since 1989, #1,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Lael since 1895
Babies named Lael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 25 | 0 |
| 1920s | 50 | 10 |
| 1930s | 134 | 6 |
| 1940s | 125 | 15 |
| 1950s | 174 | 11 |
| 1960s | 124 | 23 |
| 1970s | 144 | 155 |
| 1980s | 156 | 66 |
| 1990s | 150 | 61 |
| 2000s | 337 | 127 |
| 2010s | 560 | 273 |
| 2020s | 376 | 419 |
Meaning & origin
Lael is a name with biblical roots but modern flexibility. First recorded in the U.S. in 1895, it remained relatively rare for most of the 20th century. However, its trajectory shows steady growth since 1989, and by 2023 it reached its peak rank of 1,942 with a 1-in-16,235 birth frequency. The top states for Lael are Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey, suggesting a regional appeal along the East Coast. Its unclear etymology and unisex usage give it a versatile, understated quality that fits contemporary naming trends.
The name Lael is of disputed origin. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a Levite in Numbers 3:24, from a Hebrew word possibly meaning 'belonging to God.' However, its modern use in English-speaking countries likely derives from a transferred use of the surname Lael, of unknown etymology. It has seen occasional use as a given name for both boys and girls since the 19th century.
Where Lael is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lael” around the world
Where Lael lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
75
babies in 2024
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lay
Sibling names for Lael
Names that share Lael's style, for a brother or sister.
