AHEAD: The ultimate list of “Y” names for girls.
If you’re looking for beautiful girl names that start with Y, you’re in the right place!
I’ve rounded up every “Y” name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
There aren’t many, but they’re all right here!
Below you’ll find 40 actually useable names, their meanings, and current popularities.
Popular girl names that start with Y
These Y names are ranked in the top 1000.
Yamileth
- Name meaning: Beautiful or elegant.
- Popularity: #910
Yara
- Name meaning: Small butterfly. Lady of the water.
- Popularity: #613
Yareli
- Name meaning: Small butterfly. Lady of the water.
- Popularity: #721
Yaretzi
- Name meaning: You will always be loved.
- Popularity: #551
Yasmin
- Name meaning: Jasmine flower.
- Popularity: #862
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 have 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 nature name hasn’t ranked since 2002.
Short “Y” names for girls
These short girl names starting with Y are just four letters!
Yael
- Name meaning: A type of desert-dwelling goat. To ascend.
- Popularity: This 4-letter 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 #600).
Unique “Y” names for girls
These unique girl names that start with Y are interesting and rare.
Yahara
- Name meaning: A river in Wisconsin. Catfish river.
- Popularity: This water-inspired name isn’t ranking.
Yahira or Yahaira
- Name meaning: To light or shine.
- Popularity: This sun-inspired name isn’t ranking.
Yalani or Yalanni
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: This three-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.
Yalena
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: This name ending in a isn’t ranking.
Yamani or Yamari
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: Neither of these exotic names is ranking.
Yannis or Yanise
- Name meaning: God is gracious.
- Popularity: Neither of these 6-letter names is ranking.
Yarina
- Name meaning: Peace.
- Popularity: This great hippie name isn’t ranking.
Yasha
- Name meaning: Supplanter.
- Popularity: This 5-letter 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 #164.)
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 #589.)
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 #86. Aliyah ranks #220, Aleah ranks #743, and Aliya ranks #555.
Amaya
- Name meaning: The end; pleasant place.
- Popularity: Amaya ranks #162, Amaia ranks #625, and Amayah ranks #466.
Ayla
- Name meaning: Oak tree. Blessed. Beautiful.
- Popularity: Ayla ranks #104 and Aila ranks #767.
Camryn or Kamryn
- Name meaning: Crooked nose.
- Popularity: The C name Camryn ranks #494. The K name Kamryn ranks #511. Cameron ranks #480 for girls and #58 for boys.
Cataleya
- Name meaning: Type of orchid.
- Popularity: #294
Cheyenne
- Name meaning: Supplanter or incoherent speaker.
- Popularity: #790
Delaney
- Name meaning: Challenger’s descendant.
- Popularity: #234
Elowyn
- Name meaning: Elm tree.
- Popularity: #693
Itzayana
- Name meaning: Rainbow lady.
- Popularity: This rainbow baby name isn’t ranking.
Iyla
- Name meaning: Island.
- Popularity: Ila ranks #620 and Iyla ranks #601.
Jayda
- Name meaning: Jade stone or ‘he knows’.
- Popularity: This modern name isn’t ranking.
Jaylin
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Jazlyn
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: #540
Kaya
- Name meaning: Eldest sister or wealthy.
- Popularity: This K name isn’t ranking.
Kaylani
- Name meaning: Sea and sky.
- Popularity: Kehlani ranks #156, Kailani ranks #225, and Kaylani ranks #246.
Kyla
- Name meaning: Narrow land.
- Popularity: #565
Lyra
- Name meaning: Lyre harp.
- Popularity: #481
Malaya or Malayah
- Name meaning: Freedom.
- Popularity: The M name Malaya ranks #847.
Maya or Mya
- Name meaning: Water.
- Popularity: Maya ranks #50, Mya ranks #340, and Maia ranks #459.
Myla or Mylah
- Name meaning: Soldier or merciful.
- Popularity: Myla ranks #183 and Mylah ranks #388.
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 #717 and Reyna ranks #569.
Taysha or Tayshia
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: This Bachelorette-reminiscent T name isn’t ranking.
Zaniyah
- Name meaning: Corner.
- Popularity: #735
Zyra or Zyrah
- Name meaning: Dawn or messenger.
- Popularity: This Z name isn’t ranking.
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
Girl Names that Start with Y: Trend Analysis
The scarcity of Y-names in the U.S. top 1000 is striking – only 5 Y-names appear in the rankings, making it one of the rarest starting letters for girl names.
Of the ranked girl names that start with y, none show strong upward momentum or indicators of potential viral growth in 2025.
Looking at the historical data, even traditionally popular Y names like Yara (#613) and Yaretzi (#551) have remained relatively stable without significant gains.
Yasmin (#862) is showing modest positive movement but nothing suggesting a dramatic rise. The name has classic roots and cross-cultural appeal (used in Arabic, Persian, and Hebrew traditions), which could support gradual growth, but it’s unlikely to see explosive popularity.
The ranked Y-names fall into two clear style categories:
- Spanish/Latin American influence: Yamileth (#909), Yareli (#721), Yaretzi (#551)
- Arabic/Middle Eastern influence: Yara (#613), Yasmin (#862)
This limited representation reflects broader naming patterns where Y-names are more common in specific cultural traditions rather than mainstream American naming.
Looking at recent celebrity baby names and social media trends, there’s no indication that any Y-names are gaining significant cultural momentum that might drive a 2025 surge.
The source for popularity data is SSN.
This article was originally published on Jan 7, 2022 and was updated on Jan 18, 2025.
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