Find out how popular the first name Yoab has been for the last 7 years (from 2017 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yoab by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Yoab is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yoab.

The history of the first name Yoab

The name Yoab has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word "av," which means "father," and the prefix "yo," which may signify "Yahweh is." As such, the name Yoab could be interpreted to mean "Yahweh is father" or "fathered by Yahweh."

One of the earliest and most notable references to the name Yoab can be found in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the books of Samuel and Chronicles. Yoab was the name of the nephew of King David and the commander of David's army. He played a significant role in the events described in these biblical accounts, including the civil war between David and Ishbosheth, the son of Saul.

The earliest recorded examples of individuals bearing the name Yoab can be traced back to the biblical period and the ancient Israelite culture. In addition to the biblical figure mentioned above, there were several other historical figures named Yoab throughout the centuries.

One such individual was Yoab ben Zeruiah, who lived during the reign of King David in the 10th century BCE. He was a prominent military leader and played a crucial role in consolidating David's reign over Israel.

Another notable bearer of the name was Yoab ben Shemaiah, a Jewish scribe who lived in the 3rd century BCE during the Hellenistic period. He is credited with contributing to the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek, known as the Septuagint.

In the 1st century CE, there was a Jewish revolutionary named Yoab ben Nahum, who participated in the Great Revolt against the Roman Empire. He was a prominent figure in the Jewish resistance movement during that period.

During the Middle Ages, Yoab ben Shmuel was a renowned Jewish philosopher and theologian who lived in the 11th century. He wrote extensively on topics related to Jewish law and philosophy, and his works had a significant impact on the intellectual discourse of his time.

It is worth noting that while the name Yoab has its roots in the Hebrew language and culture, it has been adopted and used in various forms across different regions and cultures throughout history. However, in this report, the focus remains solely on the first name Yoab and its historical significance within the context of its Hebrew origins.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Yoab was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yoab, please contact us.

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