Boy Dog Names That Start With Y
By Nameberry
Updated Tue May 09 2023
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- Yves
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"yew wood"Description:
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 and clear up the issue.
- Yarrow
Origin:
Botanical name, EnglishMeaning:
"rough stream"Description:
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 yarrow into battle.
- Yancy
Origin:
American variation of Jansen, Dutch, Native AmericanMeaning:
"son of Jan; yankee"Description:
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 John, Yancy could work to honor anyone in your life with a John-related name.
- Yuri
Origin:
Russian variation of GeorgeDescription:
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.
- Yanis
Origin:
Greek, French, from HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
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 the Top 700.
- Yann
Origin:
French/Breton variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.
- York
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the yew estate"Description:
Brisk, preppy York is an underused classic with the potential to really shine in the 21st century. It's most familiar as a place name — York is a city in England — and surname. New York City and State were named after the Duke of York.
- Yannick
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
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 it peaked at #31 in 1973-4. It remains well within the Top 500 in France to this day, and has also seen regular use in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Quebec.
- Yoshi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"good, respectful"Description:
A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.
- Yale
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"fertile upland"Description:
An appellation that couldn't be more Ivy League or sound less Welsh. The name of the University is taken from the surname of college benefactor Elihu Yale. In the movie Manhattan, Yale Pollack is the name of Woody Allen's best friend. The Hebrew Yael is not related.
- Yuki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"snow"Description:
An appealing Japanese name with a nickname feel.
- Yago
Description:
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,' it has biblical connections to both the apostle James and the Old Testament patriarch Jacob. The name carries a distinctive sound with its smooth flow and strong ending. Particularly popular in Galicia, Spain, and in Portuguese-speaking countries, Yago offers cultural richness while remaining relatively uncommon in English-speaking regions. This gives it cross-cultural appeal with a touch of exoticism for international parents. The name's brevity and clear pronunciation make it accessible despite its relative rarity. Yago projects a vibrant, distinctive quality while connecting its bearer to ancient traditions and religious heritage.
- Yadiel
Origin:
Spanish variation of YehudielMeaning:
"God has heard"Description:
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. Angel-esque boy names ending in L are especially stylish right now, meaning we may see Yadiel continue to climb.
- Yoni
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gift of Jehovah"Description:
Short form of Yonatan heard throughout Israel.
- Yeats
Origin:
Scottish, EnglishMeaning:
"the gates"Description:
Admirers of the haunting works of esteemed Irish poet and playwright William Butler Yeats might consider this surname-style name, especially for the middle spot. Ultimately derived from the Old English geat, Yeats is the Scottish form of Yates, pronounced exactly the same, and rhyming, helpfully, with its literal meaning of "gates".
- Yancey
Origin:
Native AmericanMeaning:
"yankee"Description:
A fancy TV western name that didn't catch on like fellow cowboys Luke and Josh, but definitely has a certain amount of charm. It is also spelled Yancy, as in the 1950s series Yancy Derringer. It was first spotted in the Edna Ferber novel Cimarron, which became a popular movie.
- Yusuf
Origin:
Arabic variation of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
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.
- Yukio
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"snow boy"Description:
In the Japanese culture, this name suggests a sense of independence and is one of the popular names for December babies.
- Yonatan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gift of Jehovah"Description:
The Hebrew variation of Jonathan, occasionally heard in the US.
- Ysai
Origin:
Spanish variation of Isaiah, HebrewMeaning:
"salvation of the Lord"Description:
Ysai is a less-known variation of the popular Isaiah.