Kael is an Irish name derived from the word coal, meaning slender, and is also related to the Irish name Kellen, which means mighty warrior. It may also refer to:
- Chris Kael, member of the American rock band Five Finger Death Punch
- Pauline Kael, American author and movie critic
- Derek Paxton, known as "Kael", video game designer and project leader for the Fall from Heaven series of game mods based on the game Civilization 4.