Some families like to choose a name based on a letter. Perhaps it’s the same letter as your last name (so your child will have double initials), or perhaps you want your child’s initials to spell something out. Or maybe you have multiple children and want their names to begin with the same letter or sound. If the letter “Y” is what you’re after, you have some very unique names to choose from. Ahead, check out some of our favorite “Y” names, along with their origin and meaning.
Yael
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Mountain goat Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jael Famous Namesakes: “Jane the Virgin” star Yael Grobglas is one of the most famous people with this name. Peak Popularity: Yael became popular in the 2000s. Its biggest year was 2013.
Yahya
Origin: Arabic Meaning: God is gracious Alternative Spellings & Variations: Yaya Famous Namesakes: Actors Yahya Abdul-Mateen and Yaya DaCosta both share this name. Peak Popularity: Yahya peaked in 2017.
Yakub
Origin: ArabicMeaning: SupplanterAlternative Spellings & Variations: JacobPeak Popularity: While Yakub has not yet made the list of popular baby names in the United States, the similar name Jacob has spent many years as No. 1.
Yamilet
Origin: Spanish Meaning: Beautiful Peak Popularity: Yamilet peaked in 2000 but has stayed on the list for a few years since then.
Yaniv
Origin: HebrewMeaning: He will prosperPeak Popularity: Yaniv does not appear on the list of popular baby names for the United States.
Yareli
Origin: Native American Meaning: Small butterfly or water lady Peak Popularity: Yareli peaked in 2009, but has maintained a steady popularity since then.
Yaritza
Origin: SpanishMeaning: ButterflyPeak Popularity: Yaritza was a popular name in the 1990s, peaking in 1993.
Yaroslav
Origin: Russian Meaning: Bright fame Peak Popularity: Yaroslav does not appear in the list of popular baby names.
Yaser
Origin: ArabicMeaning: EasyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yasser, YasirPeak Popularity: Yaser hasn’t yet made the list of popular baby names in the U.S.
Yasmine
Origin: ArabicMeaning: Jasmine flowerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Yasmin, JasmineFamous Namesakes: Actress Yasmine Bleeth is one of the more well-known people with this name.Peak Popularity: Yasmine was popular in the 1990s. Its most popular year was 1997.
Yeardley
Origin: English Meaning: From the wood where spars were got Alternative Spellings & Variations: Yardley Peak Popularity: Yeardley doesn’t appear on the list of popular baby names.
Yelena
Origin: PortugueseMeaning: LightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Helena, HelenPeak Popularity: Yelena hasn’t yet found a spot on the list of popular baby names.
Yesenia
Origin: SpanishMeaning: Palm treePeak Popularity: Yesenia saw most of its popularity in the 1980s. It peaked in 1987.
Yessica
Origin: SpanishMeaning: God beholdsAlternative Spellings & Variations: JessicaPeak Popularity: Yessica does not appear in the list of popular baby names.
Ygritte
Origin: EnglishMeaning: WindlingFamous Namesakes: Rose Leslie’s character in “Game of Thrones” is named Ygritte, which is one of the most well-known uses of this name in pop culture.Peak Popularity: Ygritte is not on the list of popular baby names in the United States.
Yolanda
Origin: SpanishMeaning: Violet flowerFamous Namesakes: Singer Yolanda Adams is one of the most famous people with this name.Peak Popularity: Yolanda was popular in the 1970s, peaking in 1972.
York
Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the town of EburosAlternative Spellings & Variations: YorkePeak Popularity: York is not on the list of popular baby names.
Yoshi
Origin: Japanese Meaning: Good, respectful Famous Namesakes: One of the most well-known Yoshis is the Nintendo character in “Super Mario.” Peak Popularity: Yoshi doesn’t appear on the list of popular baby names.
Yul
Origin: RussianMeaning: YouthfulFamous Namesakes: Actor Yul Brynner is one of the most famous people with this name.Peak Popularity: Yul doesn’t have a place on the list of the most popular names for babies born in the U.S.
Yuma
Origin: Native AmericanMeaning: Son of the chiefPeak Popularity: Yuma doesn’t appear on the list of popular baby names.
Yusef
Origin: ArabicMeaning: God will increaseAlternative Spellings & Variations: YusufPeak Popularity: Yusef doesn’t appear on the popular baby names list, however Yusuf does. It peaked in 2019.
Yvette
Origin: French Meaning: Yew tree Famous Namesakes: Actress Yvette Nicole Brown is one of the most famous people with this name. Peak Popularity: Yvette was popular in the 1960s, peaking in 1967.
Yvonne
Origin: FrenchMeaning: YewFamous Namesakes: Actresses Yvonne Printemps, Yvonne Zima, and Yvonne Monlaur all share this name.Peak Popularity: Yvonne was popular in the early 1900s. Its biggest year was 1933.
