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Youthful Y Names

DoctorWoo
By DoctorWoo
Updated Mon May 22 2023
  1. Yuna

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Breton, Korean, Chinese, Dutch

    • Meaning:

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

    • Description:

      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 Yunabugs who shares her life with her eight dachshunds on Instagram. Also used in the game franchise Final Fantasy, it is a popular choice in France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
  2. Yara

    • Origin:

      Arabic, Persian, Brazilian, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

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

    • Description:

      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, familiar in the UK and France, it entered the US Top 1000 in 2017 and has been climbing the charts ever since.
  3. Yves

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Yvaine

    • Origin:

      Female variation of Yvain or Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "evening star"

    • Description:

      A mix of Yvonne and Elaine, Yvaine was first noticed in the Neil Gaiman fantasy novel and then movie Stardust, in which Claire Danes played the 'fallen star' Yvaine. This In all its forms, one of the most classic Scottish names for girls is now attracting namer attention--just as that other Gaiman-inspired name, Coraline, did. Yvaine has a definite romantic, medieval charm. A small segment of namers are definitely taking notice.
  5. Yvette

    • Origin:

      French, feminine of Yves

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Yseult

    • Origin:

      French variation of Iseult, Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "fair, light-skinned"

    • Description:

      Variation of Isolde, the name of a great Celtic heroine. The mononymous French singer Yseult is the most notable bearer today.
  7. Ysabel

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Isabel, variation of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      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 year, while Isabel and Isabelle were each given to about 1800 babies.
  8. 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.
  9. Yinuo

    • Origin:

      Chinese

    • Meaning:

      "Promise"

    • Description:

      Yinuo is a Chinese female name meaning "promise." It is part of an idiomatic expression "Yinuo Qianjin" (一诺千金), which means "one promise; one thousand gold" or "keep your word." This Chinese name has the advantage of being relatively easy to pronounce for non-Chinese speakers. People called Yinuo include Yinuo Mu, principle harpist in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Yinuo Chen, a Chinese actress who starred in Empresses in the Palace.
  10. Yvan

    • Description:

      Yvan is a masculine name primarily used in French-speaking regions and Eastern Europe, serving as a variant of Ivan, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Yohanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' The name has deep historical roots across Europe, with Ivan being the Slavic equivalent of John. Yvan offers a distinctive spelling that maintains the traditional pronunciation while giving the name a more unique written appearance. Popular in Quebec, France, Russia, and other Slavic countries, Yvan carries a cosmopolitan appeal that crosses cultural boundaries. The name projects strength and dignity while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce. Less common than Ivan or Jean in most regions, Yvan provides a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with international resonance and historical depth.

  11. Yarrow

    • Origin:

      Botanical name, English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  12. Yuki

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "snow; happiness"

    • Description:

      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).
  13. Yorick

    • Origin:

      English literary name

    • Description:

      Alas, poor Yorick, your name is fated to remain locked forever as a skull in Hamlet.
  14. Yelena

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Helen

    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"

    • Description:

      One of many international versions of this classic.
  15. Yardley

    • Origin:

      English surname

    • Meaning:

      "wood clearing"

    • Description:

      Yardley is an English surname with a distinguished vibe, a la Chauncey and Clancy. Extremely rare for either sex, it would make a stand-out choice that still fits in with current trends.
  16. Yannick

    • Origin:

      Breton

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  17. Yule

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "winter solstice"

    • Description:

      A possible Christmas name for a baby boy, if you find Noel too mundane. But we fear it doesn't sound very festive.
  18. Yarrow

    • Origin:

      Botanical name, English

    • Meaning:

      "rough stream"

    • Description:

      Yarrow is a flowering herb that grows wild in Europe and North America, and has long been used in several Native American and European cultures as a healing plant. Named for the mythical god Achille, Yarrow is a symbol of enduring love.
  19. Young

    • Description:

      Young is a masculine name that originated as a surname in English, derived from the Old English word 'geong,' meaning 'young' or 'youthful.' As a given name, it has been most commonly used in East Asian cultures, particularly in Korea, where it's pronounced differently than in English. In Korean usage, Young (or Yeong) can have various meanings depending on the Chinese characters used to write it, including 'brave,' 'flourishing,' or 'eternal.' The name is straightforward, simple, and carries positive connotations of youth and vitality. While uncommon as a first name in Western countries, its simplicity and positive meaning make it an accessible cross-cultural option.
  20. Yulia

    • Origin:

      Russian, variation of Yuliya, cognate of Julia

    • Meaning:

      "youth"

    • Description:

      This is the Armenian version of the familia Julia, which has a rich and evocative sound. Other variations are Iuliya, and the diminitive Yulya.