Dog Names That Start With Y
Updated Thu Sep 28 2023
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Dog names that start with Y are few and far between, making this an especially unique initial with no names starting with Y making the Top 100 dog names.
Female dog names that start with Y that are currently trending on Nameberry include Yara, Yvette, and Yuna. Unique female dog names that start with Y include Yetta, Yadira, and Yola.
Male dog names that start with Y that are currently trending on Nameberry include Yves, Yoshi, and Yukio. Unique male dog names that start with Y include Yancy, York, and Yarrow.
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- Yara
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"friend, helper"Description:
The multicultural Yara is also the name of a beautiful green-skinned Brazilian goddess and might make a more unusual spin on Mara or Sara.
- 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.
- Yuna
Origin:
Japanese, Breton, Korean, ChineseDescription:
An attractive, widely appealing, multicultural option. KPOP singer Yuna may be attracting some attention to her name.
- Yvette
Origin:
French, feminine of YvesMeaning:
"yew tree"Description:
This French name has the elegance of other '-ette' names such as Colette and is a botanical name without being too obvious about it.
- Yvonne
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"yew wood"Description:
Peaking in the 1950s, Yvonne has now dropped out of the Top 1000 in 2003 and doesn't look set to return soon, although its rare Y initial might endear it to some. Yvaine, from Neil Gaiman's Stardust, has more modern appeal.
- Yoshi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"good, respectful"Description:
A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.
- Yanis
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
One of the relatives on the widely-branching family of John names, Yanis is in the French Top 50.
- Yaretzi
Origin:
Nahuatl, AztecMeaning:
"you will always be loved"Description:
This unusual name from the Nahuatl or Aztec language has one of the best meanings around. It sprang onto the US popularity list in 2006 and made a brief appearance in the Top 300 before sliding down a bit. It's popular in Mexico and with US Americans of Latino or Hispanic heritage, hitting on two big girl name trends in those communities: Ya- beginnings and -i endings.
- 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.
- Yari
Origin:
Spanish, HebrewMeaning:
"gold"Description:
The derivation and meaning of the Hebrew or Spanish names for girls Yari may be uncertain, but the name might get more attention thanks to its similarity to Yara, which means butterfly and is becoming more popular for baby girls throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
- Yui
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"superior garment"Description:
Very popular girls' name in Japan not quite as easy to transport westward as the also-popular Rin.
- Yolanda
Origin:
Spanish from GreekMeaning:
"violet flower"Description:
Yolanda conjures up visions of midcentury films like "Yolanda and the Thief," complete with gauzy veils, harem pants, and invisible navels. Iolanthe, with the first syllable pronounced the same as in Yolanda, is a softer version, but most modern parents would opt for the English Violet.
- 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.
- 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.
- Yuki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"snow"Description:
An appealing Asian name with a nickname feel.
- 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.
- Yuri
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Most familiar to American ears as the Russian variation of George. Not recommended for a daughter.
- Yareli
Origin:
Native American, Spanish variation of Yara, ArabicMeaning:
"water lady; small butterfly"Description:
Possibly a derivative variation of Yara, a popular name in Spanish-speaking countries meaning butterfly, Yareli was given to more than 400 baby girls in the US last year.
- Yari
Origin:
Spanish from HebrewMeaning:
"gold"Description:
Names that end in I are hot right now, but Yari has yet to be discovered. It's a unisex name more common among girls, perhaps due to its similarity to Yara.
- Yoko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"good girl; ocean child"Description:
There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.