Yi

Yi is a name with significant presence in East Asian cultures, particularly Chinese and Korean traditions. In Chinese, Yi (易) can mean "change" or "easy," though the meaning varies widely depending on the specific Chinese character used, as there are many characters pronounced as "Yi." In Korean, it functions as both a given name and a surname (이). The name is typically short and minimalist, consisting of just one syllable, which gives it a clean, modern appeal. Despite its simplicity, Yi carries deep cultural significance in its countries of origin. In Western countries, Yi remains uncommon as a given name, though it has increased in presence with greater Asian immigration and cultural exchange.

Yi is also given to girls, where it ranks #10084 in the US.

Pronounced YEE.

As of October 2026, Yi ranked #6435 for boys and #10084 for girls in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #4218 for boys in 2018 and #9578 for girls in 2023.