יוֹאָב

Yoav

boyHebrewJewish

Yoav is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “The Lord is father”.

MeaningThe Lord is father
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asיוֹאָב
Pronunciationyoh-AHV
TraditionJewish
Used inIsrael

Meaning and origin of Yoav

Yoav joins Yo-, a short form of God's name, with av, 'father', giving 'the Lord is father'. In the Bible, Joab is King David's nephew and the commander of his army, a capable but ruthless figure in the books of Samuel and Kings. In modern Israel, Yoav has become a popular boys' name with a crisp sound, used regardless of the complex biblical character.

Is Yoav a Jewish name?

Yoav is a biblical name, borne by David's general Joab. It is used mainly by Jewish families in Israel.

How popular is Yoav?

Popular in Israel for several decades.

Gifts with the name Yoav

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Spellings and variants of Yoav

Joab

Names similar to Yoav

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Yoav mean?

Yoav means 'The Lord is father'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Yoav a Jewish name?

Yoav is a biblical name, borne by David's general Joab. It is used mainly by Jewish families in Israel.

How do you pronounce Yoav?

Yoav is pronounced yoh-AHV.

Is Yoav a boy or girl name?

Yoav is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.