Unique Girl Names that Start With Y

Yara

Arabic, Persian, Brazilian, Hebrew

"friend, helper; strength; water nymph; honeycomb"

The multicultural Yara is a sweet but substantial choice that could make a more unusual take on Sara and also work in multiple languages. Popular in Portugal, The Netherlands, and Switzerland,…

Yaretzi

Nahuatl, Aztec

"you will always be loved"

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…

Yuna

Japanese, Breton, Korean, Chinese, Dutch

"superiority, gentleness, or citrus fruit; lamb; willow, abundant, child, happy + to reach, to hold; jade + elegant, beautiful; June"

An attractive, widely appealing, multicultural option, Yuna has its roots in Japanese, Breton, Korean, Chinese. KPOP singer Yuna may be attracting some attention to her name, as might influencer…

Yamileth

Spanish variation of Jamila, Arabic

"beautiful"

Popular in Mexico and familiar in the US, Yamileth is an elaborate and fresh form of Yamila, ultimately derived from the Arabic Jamil. Meaning "beautiful", it shares sounds with other familiar and…

Yael

Hebrew

"ibex"

Yael is an Old Testament name often heard in Israel that could work well here: just remember that it's pronounced with two syllables...it is also spelled Ya'el. In the Bible she was a Kenite woman in…

Yvonne

French

"yew wood"

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…

Yana

Slavic variation of Jana, feminine variation of John

"God is gracious"

A Slavic classic, as common as Jane or Joan here. If you live in an Anglophone culture and you want it pronounced with a Y sound at the beginning, use the Y spelling.

Yolanda

Spanish from Greek

"violet flower"

Bold and distinctive, Yolanda is a floral name that doesn't sound frilly or delicate. Ultimately deriving from the Greek words ioles meaning "violet" and anthos meaning "flower", it appears in a…

Yuki

Japanese

"snow; happiness"

Succinct and memorable, Yuki is a Japanese name, which may relate to winter or joy, depending on the kanji used. It is a unisex choice, notably borne by singer Yuki Kuramochi (stylized as YUKI).

Ysabel

Spanish variation of Isabel, variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew

"pledged to God"

Ysabel is the original spelling of this ever-more-popular name, though to English-speakers, the initial Y may confuse pronunciation. Only 14 baby girls were given the Ysabel spelling in the US last…

Ynez

Spanish

"pure, virginal"

Y is a very rare initial, and this feisty mini-name packs a double punch with its spiky final Z. Inez or Inez are the more familiar spellings of this chic name, which is related to Agnes and could be…

Yenty

Yiddish

"noble, aristocratic"

An aristocratic name with a playful, quirky sound, Yenty comes from the Yiddish Yente, which is itself borrowed from the French gentille or the Italian gentile . It appears in the film and musical…

Yona

Cherokee or variation of Jonah, Hebrew

"bear; dove"

A name with a double animal connection via two distinct origins, one Native American and the other Hebrew and Biblical. Yona is rare in the US but not unknown: It was given to a dozen baby girls in…

Yulisa

Spanish variation of Julisa or Julia

"youthful or sky father"

Yulisa is a spelling variation of the Latin American Julissa or Julisa. Yulisa clarifies the pronunciation of the name for English speakers.

Yalitza

Mexican invented name

Yalitza burst onto the scene in 2019, the year following the film Roma , starring the indigenous Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio. Her name is a modern Mexican invented name, styled after the similar…

Yemima

Hebrew

"dove"

A variation of Jemima, without all the baggage.

Yali

Tamil mythological name and Hebrew

"my God"

Yali is a gender-neutral name most widely-used in Israel. The Israeli-British actress Yali Topol Margalith of Alice and Steve is the best-known bearer. A yali is a South Indian folkloric and…

Yardley

English surname

"wood clearing"

Yardley, a surname redolent of British soaps and perfume, was used for her daughter by Megyn Kelly. Yeardley Smith (born Martha), has long been the voice of Bart on The Simpsons .

Yoko

Japanese

"good girl; ocean child"

There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko. Yoko Ono writes her name with characters meaning "ocean" and "child".

Ysanne

Modern invented name

This ancient-looking name is actually a 20th century invention, on the model of Suzanne, Marianne, Yvonne and other similar names. It is the name of a seer in Guy Gavriel Kay’s Fionavar Tapestry…