Updated May 2023
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Arabic variation of Joseph, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
Yusuf is the Arabic form of Joseph, used in the Middle East, as well as internationally from France and the US, to the UK, Turkey and Azerbaijan - where, as of 2023, it ranked in the Top 100. In…
Hebrew
A widely used Hebrew form of Joseph, with a sophisticated and continental air.
Spanish variation of Yehudiel
"God has heard"
This name, which is the Spanish version of the Hebrew name of one of the archangels, Yehudiel, appeared on the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2008 and has been on and off the charts since.…
Russian variation of George
Common Russian name familiarized here via cosmonaut Yury Gagarin and a character in Dr. Zhivago , but we don't see it ever gaining permanent resident status.
Greek, French, from Hebrew
"gift of God"
One of the relatives on the widely-branching family of John names, Yanis is in the French Top 50 and was a fast rising choice in the UK in 2022, when it went from being outside the Top 1000 to within…
"gift of Jehovah"
The Hebrew variation of Jonathan, occasionally heard in the US.
Short form of Yonatan heard throughout Israel.
Breton
"God is gracious"
Yannick originated as a diminutive of Yann, the Breton form of John. However, it has since become popular as a standalone name in its native region of Brittany, as well as in France as a whole, where…
French
"yew wood"
On paper, with its stylish ties to fashion legend Yves Saint-Laurent (born Henri), Yves looks great, but the pronunciation--EVE-- could lead to gender confusion. German variation Ivo might be cooler…
Japanese
"relaxed and caring"
Yuji is among the most common male names in Japan, in part due to its positive meaning. Americans may recognize it from the anime series Jujustu Kaisen as the name of the humanistic and compassionate…
"snow; happiness"
Short yet impactful, this Japanese name with has two appealing meanings, depending on which kanji are used. It may be associated with joy, or with a wintery scene.
French/Breton variation of John
This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.
Yago is a masculine name with Spanish and Portuguese origins, functioning as a variant of James (Santiago in Spanish). Derived ultimately from the Hebrew name Ya'akov (Jacob), meaning 'supplanter,'…
North American Indian
"son of a chief"
The a ending gives it a feminine feel.
Japanese, meaning unknown
Yasuke was the first African samurai in Japan, who served as a retainer under Oda Nobunaga. He arrived in Japan in 1579 with Portuguese Jesuits and Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano.…
Variation of Jonathan, Hebrew
Jonathan variation that is common among Jewish baby boys in Israel.
"good, respectful"
A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.
American variation of Jansen, Dutch, Native American
"son of Jan; yankee"
Yancy has two separate American origins — first as the Native American term for "Yankee," and second as the Americanized variation of the common Dutch surname Jansen. Jan being the Dutch form of…
"to flow down, descend"
The name from which Jordan arose, Yarden has a nice combination of river imagery and a sound connoting a garden. Like Jordan, used for both sexes.
Botanical name, English
"rough stream"
Highly unusual as a baby name for either gender, Yarrow is an herb that grows wild and has long been used for its medicinal property. It's named for the mythical Achilles, who was said to carry…