AHEAD: The ultimate list of “Y” names for girls.
If you’re looking for a beautiful girls’ name starting with the letter Y, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single “Y” name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
I’ve also included each name’s meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
Before we begin, I will give you fair warning:
There are VERY few modern girls’ names that start with Y.
There are zero Y names in the top 500 baby names for girls!
There are just five Y names in the top 1000.
And trendiness aside, there are very few female Y names in general.
I did my very best to round up all of the Y names for girls that could conceivably make a great baby name. Some of the choices are a little unusual, but nothing is too far out there to be downright weird.
Without further ado, let’s go check out this list of ideas and find the perfect name for your daughter.
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these lovely girl names that start with Y.
Popular “Y” names
All of these girl names that start with Y are (relatively) popular in the United States right now, ranking in the top 1000.
Yamileth
- Name meaning: Beautiful or elegant.
- Popularity: #988
Yara
- Name meaning: Small butterfly. Lady of the water.
- Popularity: #651
Yareli
- Name meaning: Small butterfly. Lady of the water.
- Popularity: #846
Yaretzi
- Name meaning: You will always be loved.
- Popularity: #505
Yasmin
- Name meaning: Jasmine flower.
- Popularity: Yasmin ranks #975. (The J name Jasmine ranks #141.)
If you like these Y girl names you might also like this list of badass girl names.
Familiar “Y” names for girls
These girls’ names beginning with Y will ring a bell! They’ve all made the top 1000 in the past, but are no longer ranking today.
Yasmeen or Yasmine
- Name meaning: Jasmine flower.
- Popularity: Yasmeen hasn’t ranked since 2000 and Yasmine hasn’t ranked since 2009.
Yesenia
- Name meaning: Flower or palm tree.
- Popularity: This long girls’ name hasn’t ranked since 2012.
Yolanda
- Name meaning: Violet.
- Popularity: This Y name hasn’t ranked since 2002.
Yvette
- Name meaning: Yew (evergreen tree).
- Popularity: This tree name hasn’t ranked since 2006.
Yvonne
- Name meaning: Yew (evergreen tree) wood.
- Popularity: This Y name hasn’t ranked since 2002.
If you like these baby names with Y, you might also like this list of Victorian girl names.
Short “Y” names for girls
All of these short girl names starting with Y are just four letters!
Yael
- Name meaning: A type of desert-dwelling goat. To ascend.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking for girls. It last ranked for boys in 2019.
Yana or Yannah
- Name meaning: God is gracious. He answers.
- Popularity: This two-syllable name isn’t ranking.
Yani or Yanni
- Name meaning: God is gracious. He answers.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yari
- Name meaning: Gold. Straight spear.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
York
- Name meaning: Place of the yew trees. A city in England.
- Popularity: This one-syllable name isn’t ranking.
Yosi or Yoshi
- Name meaning: God shall add. Good luck. Righteous. Respectful.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yuri
- Name meaning: Lily. Russian variation of George.
- Popularity: This gender-neutral name isn’t ranking.
Yves
- Name meaning: Yew (evergreen tree) wood.
- Popularity: This French boys’ name isn’t ranking for either gender. (The E name Eve ranks #471 and Evie is #319.)
If you like these short girl names that start with Y you might also like this list of hippie names or these edgy names.
Unique “Y” names for girls
All of these unique girl names that start with Y are interesting and rare.
Like I said earlier, since the options for Y names are limited, I did my best to come up with some additional pretty names that aren’t too out there!
Yahara
- Name meaning: A river in Wisconsin. Catfish river.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yahira or Yahaira
- Name meaning: To light or shine.
- Popularity: This three-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Yalani or Yalanni
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yalena
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yamani or Yamari
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yannis or Yanise
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yarina
- Name meaning: Peace.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yasha
- Name meaning: Supplanter.
- Popularity: This traditionally male name isn’t ranking.
Yasmina or Yazmina
- Name meaning: Jasmine flower.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Ygritte
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This Game of Thrones name isn’t ranking.
Yolani
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown. Might mean royal hawk.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Ysabel or Ysobel
- Name meaning: Pledged to God.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking. (The I name Isabel ranks #157.)
Yvelle
- Name meaning: Little archer.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking.
Yvonna or Yvanna
- Name meaning: Yew (evergreen tree) wood.
- Popularity: This Y name isn’t ranking. (The I name Ivanna ranks #596.)
If you like these unique girl names that start with Y you might also like this list of space baby names.
BONUS LIST: 25 unique girls’ names containing the letter “Y”
If you really like Y names but haven’t found the perfect one, consider a baby name that contains the letter Y (but doesn’t start with it)!
There are tons and tons of names that contain the letter y, so I narrowed it down to just 25 interesting ones that I thought might fit the bill! Here they are:
Aaliyah
- Name meaning: Highborn. Exalted.
- Popularity: The A name Aaliyah ranks #65. Aliyah is #189, Aleah is #582, and Aliya is 866.
Amaya
- Name meaning: The end; pleasant place.
- Popularity: Amaya ranks #140, Amaia ranks #561, and Amayah ranks #929.
Ayla
- Name meaning: Oak tree. Blessed. Beautiful.
- Popularity: Ayla ranks #131 and Aila is #906.
Camryn or Kamryn
- Name meaning: Crooked nose.
- Popularity: The C name Camryn ranks #405. The K name Kamryn ranks #459. Cameron ranks #489 for girls and #64 for boys.
Cataleya
- Name meaning: Type of orchid.
- Popularity: #383
Cheyenne
- Name meaning: Supplanter or incoherent speaker.
- Popularity: #581
Delaney
- Name meaning: Challenger’s descendant.
- Popularity: #312
Elowyn
- Name meaning: Elm tree.
- Popularity: This E name is not ranking in the top 1000.
Itzayana
- Name meaning: Rainbow lady.
- Popularity: #754
Iyla
- Name meaning: Island.
- Popularity: Ila ranks #865 and Iyla ranks #910.
Jayda
- Name meaning: Jade stone or ‘he knows’.
- Popularity: Jada ranks #546 and Jayda is #631.
Jaylin
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: #862
Jazlyn
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: #547
Kaya
- Name meaning: Eldest sister or wealthy.
- Popularity: This K name hasn’t ranked since 2019.
Kaylani
- Name meaning: Sea and sky.
- Popularity: Kehlani ranks #168, Kailani ranks #282, and Kaylani ranks #340.
Kyla
- Name meaning: Narrow land.
- Popularity: #490
Lyra
- Name meaning: Lyre harp.
- Popularity: #552
Malaya or Malayah
- Name meaning: Freedom.
- Popularity: The M name Malaya ranks #668 and Malayah ranks #949.
Maya or Mya
- Name meaning: Water.
- Popularity: Maya ranks #61, Mya ranks #242, and Maia ranks #498.
Myla or Mylah
- Name meaning: Soldier or merciful.
- Popularity: Myla ranks #277 and Mylah ranks #745.
Nayana or Nayara
Rayleigh
- Name meaning: Scattering of light.
- Popularity: This unique R name isn’t ranking.
Rayna or Reyna
- Name meaning: Queen.
- Popularity: The royal girls’ name Rayna ranks #702, Reyna ranks #594, and Reina ranks #590.
Taysha or Tayshia
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This Bachelorette-reminiscent T name isn’t ranking.
Zaniyah
- Name meaning: Corner.
- Popularity: Zaniya ranks #730 and Zaniah isn’t ranking.
Zyra or Zyrah
- Name meaning: Dawn or messenger.
- Popularity: This Z name isn’t ranking.
More baby names for girls
Before we get to middle name ideas, here are a few related articles that may be helpful if you’re still looking for the perfect name.
Middle name ideas for girl names that start with Y
Here are some beautiful first + middle name combinations for a first name with “Y” as the first letter.
- Yael Abigail
- Yahara Sage
- Yahira Ruby
- Yalani Blake
- Yalena Charlotte
- Yamani Phoenix
- Yamileth Jade
- Yana Penelope
- Yani Olivia
- Yannis Embry
- Yara Lennon
- Yareli Piper
- Yaretzi Mia
- Yari Madelyn
- Yarina Blair
- Yasha Evelyn
- Yasmeen Sophie
- Yasmin Reese
- Yazmina Violet
- Yesenia Rose
- Ygritte Harlow
- Yolanda Noelle
- Yolani Hazel
- York Everleigh
- Yosi Lennox
- Ysabel Faye
- Yuri Avery
- Yvelle Hartley
- Yves Victoria
- Yvette Lily
- Yvonna Grace
- Yvonne Aubrey
Now, here are some bea-you-tiful first + middle name combinations for a first name containing the letter “Y”:
- Aaliyah Rylan
- Amaya Faye
- Ayla Wren
- Camryn Lennox
- Cataleya Grace
- Cheyenne Lily
- Delaney Ella
- Elowyn May
- Iyla Magnolia
- Itzayana Rose
- Jayda Noelle
- Jaylin Mackenzie
- Jazlyn Harlow
- Kaya Marie
- Kaylani Violet
- Kyla Madison
- Lyra Phoenix
- Malaya Rayne
- Maya Everly
- Myla Hazel
- Nayana Lark
- Rayleigh Yves
- Rayna Lavender
- Taysha Lennon
- Zaniyah Ruby
- Zyra Everleigh
Final thoughts on Y names for girls
As you’ve now seen for yourself, there aren’t a whole lot of mainstream girl names that start with Y.
That said, there are some cool ideas on this list, and hopefully you fell in love with at least one or two.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect Y name for your baby girl!
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