Puerto Rican Boy names beginning with Y

  1. Yahir
    • Origin:

      Hebrew and Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "he will enlighten, he shines; to be visible, shining"
    • Description:

      This Hebrew and Arabic name hit the US Top 300 in 2004 via an unusual inspiration: A Mexican pop singer and telenovela star known simply as Yahir, who was himself named after a Brazilian soccer player. Possibly a variation of the Hebrew Jair the Arabic Zahir, Yahir has since declined since its peak in the 2000s, however, it does remain in the latter end of the US Top 1000.
  2. Yann
    • Origin:

      French/Breton variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.
  3. Yeshua
    • Origin:

      Variation of Joshua, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is my salvation"
    • Description:

      Yeshua is often considered the "real" name of Jesus, via the Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English evolution of Yeshua to Iesous to Iesus to Jesus. It is also used as a common alternative of Yehoshua in the later parts of the Hebrew Bible, making it a variation of Joshuah.
  4. Yael
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "ibex"
    • Description:

      A common unisex name in Israel, more properly written as Ya'el, Yael rose more than 200 places in 2023 to become one of the fastest-rising boys' names of the year in the US.
  5. Yulian
    • Origin:

      Russian and Bulgarian variation of Julian, English from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded, sky father"
    • Description:

      A Julian translation that would be easy to wear — Yulian strikes the proper balance between unusual and familiar. Yuli is a common nickname in Russia.
  6. Yasiel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "whom God made"
    • Description:

      Yasiel is gaining a following thanks to superstar baseball player Yasiel Puig, a Cuban native who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Biblical Yasiel, which can also be spelled Jasiel, was a warrior in David's army. About 100 baby boys were given the name in both spellings in the U.S. last year, a number that is expected to rise.
  7. Yadier
    • Description:

      Yadier is a masculine name that gained recognition primarily through Puerto Rican baseball player Yadier Molina. The name appears to have Hebrew origins, possibly related to the biblical name 'Yadiel' meaning 'hand of God' or 'God knows.' While still uncommon, Yadier has seen increased usage in the United States and Puerto Rico since the early 2000s, coinciding with Molina's rising fame in Major League Baseball. The name has a distinctive sound that combines traditional religious undertones with a modern, athletic association. Yadier offers the friendly nicknames Yadi or Yer. It appeals particularly to baseball fans and families looking for a name with both cultural significance and contemporary relevance, especially within Hispanic communities.
  8. Yadriel
    • Description:

      Yadriel is a masculine name with Hispanic origins, combining melodic sounds with cultural significance. While its precise etymology is not widely documented, it likely developed as a creative variation influenced by traditional Spanish naming elements. The name gained notable exposure through the character Yadriel Vélez in the popular telenovela 'Al Diablo con los Guapos.' More recently, Yadriel appeared as the transgender protagonist in Aiden Thomas's groundbreaking novel 'Cemetery Boys.' The name has modest usage in Latin American communities and among Hispanic Americans, appreciated for its distinctive sound and modern feel. Yadriel offers a balance of uniqueness and pronounceability, appealing to parents seeking a contemporary Hispanic name that stands out while maintaining cultural connections.

  9. Yan
    • Description:

      Yan is a concise, powerful masculine name with multicultural origins. In Chinese, it can mean "strict," "colorful," or "handsome," depending on the character used. It's also a Russian, Dutch, and Scandinavian short form of Jan (equivalent to John), meaning "God is gracious." Additionally, Yan appears as a Breton name meaning "God is merciful." This cross-cultural versatility makes it appealing to diverse families. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist quality while its international recognition ensures it works well globally. Yan has maintained steady but not overwhelming popularity in various countries, particularly in East Asia and Eastern Europe. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across languages while retaining a distinctive character.
  10. Yoshua
    • Description:

      Yoshua is a masculine name that serves as a variant of Joshua, which derives from Hebrew origins meaning 'Yahweh is salvation.' This particular spelling shows influence from Japanese or Spanish transliteration patterns, creating a multicultural feel. While less common than the standard Joshua, Yoshua offers a distinctive international flavor while maintaining the recognizable sound of its traditional counterpart. The name carries the same biblical associations as Joshua, who was Moses's successor in the Old Testament. Yoshua might appeal to parents seeking a name with religious significance but with a more unique presentation. Its cross-cultural spelling makes it versatile across different linguistic backgrounds while retaining the strong, positive connotations of salvation and leadership associated with the original Hebrew name.
  11. Yariel
    • Origin:

      Variation of Ariel, Spanish, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      Names ending in -iel are very much in for boys at the moment and Yariel is another to consider. Likely deriving from Ariel, it gets you the same lion-inspired meaning without such a close tie to Disney's Little Mermaid.
  12. Yamir
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "moon"
    • Description:

      Attractive lunar name with the unique initial Y.
  13. Yahel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "to shine"
    • Description:

      Unisex Hebrew name more common among baby girls in Israel and boys in the US.
  14. Yadiel
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Yehudiel
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  15. Yair
    • Origin:

      Hebrew variation of Jair: "he shines"
    • Meaning:

      "he shines"
    • Description:

      Both Jair and Yair have been in and out of the US Top 1000 since the 2000s, and while both are currently taking a break from the charts, Yair in particular is quietly gathering attention. Given to 182 babies in 2023, Yair is simple and distinctive and fits in with the recent interest in off-beat Biblical names.
  16. Yeray
    • Description:

      Yeray is a masculine name of Guanche origin, from the indigenous people of the Canary Islands. It means "the brave one" or "the one who brings good things." Once obscure outside the Canaries, the name has gained popularity in mainland Spain and Spanish-speaking communities in recent decades. Yeray's appeal lies in its distinctive sound, concise form, and positive meaning. The revival of this name represents a broader interest in preserving cultural heritage from the pre-Spanish Canarian civilization. Though still relatively uncommon internationally, Yeray has a modern feel despite its ancient origins, offering parents a name that is both unique and meaningful with genuine historical roots and a connection to Canarian identity.

  17. Yosef
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"
    • Description:

      A widely used Hebrew form of Joseph, with a sophisticated and continental air.
  18. Yaniel
    • Description:

      Yaniel is a masculine name with multiple cultural connections, blending elements of Hebrew, Spanish, and Slavic naming traditions. It may be a variation of Daniel ("God is my judge") or a combination of Yan (a form of John) with the popular "-iel" suffix seen in many angelic names. Particularly popular in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and other Latin American communities, Yaniel has gained traction in recent decades. The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. Yaniel offers a balance of uniqueness and familiarity, with an international quality that works well in diverse communities. Its melodic sound and accessible pronunciation contribute to its growing appeal among parents seeking distinctive yet approachable names.

  19. Yamil
    • Description:

      Yamil is a masculine name with Arabic origins, derived from 'Jamil' meaning 'beautiful', 'handsome', or 'elegant'. The name is popular in Arabic-speaking countries as well as throughout Latin America, particularly in Argentina and Puerto Rico. The spelling variation with 'Y' instead of 'J' is especially common in Spanish-speaking regions. Yamil has gained moderate popularity in recent decades as parents seek distinctive yet melodious names with meaningful origins. Those bearing this name are often associated with qualities of attractiveness, grace, and charm. The name carries a contemporary feel while maintaining its traditional roots, making it appealing across different cultures. Yamil's concise structure and appealing sound contribute to its enduring appeal.

  20. Yeiden
    • Description:

      Yeiden is a modern masculine name that appears to be a contemporary variation of names like Jayden, Aiden, or Hayden. It follows the popular phonetic pattern of two-syllable names ending with the "-den" or "-din" sound that gained significant popularity in the early 2000s. The distinctive Y beginning gives this name a unique quality while maintaining a familiar sound structure. Yeiden likely emerged as part of the trend toward creating innovative spellings and variations of popular names. While not among the most common names, it appeals to parents seeking something recognizable yet distinctive. The name has a contemporary feel and fits well with current naming trends while offering a slight twist that sets it apart from more common variations in this popular name family.