You may not hear many girl names that start with Y, and that’s what makes them so memorable. Y names often come with rich cultural roots, lyrical sounds, and spellings that stand out in the best way. Whether you’re drawn to soft, sweet options or something bold and eye-catching, there’s a surprising amount of variety in this letter.
This list of girl names that start with Y brings together familiar favorites, global gems, and names you may be discovering for the first time. As you move through the meanings and origins, pay attention to the ones that you naturally return to—your baby’s perfect name might be hidden right here.
Girl Names That Start With Y
These Y girl names include everything from recognizable classics to lesser-known treasures, giving you plenty of possibilities to explore as you build your list.
10 Popular Girl Names That Start With Y
These well-known Y girl names have familiar sounds, meaningful origins, and a charm that appeals to parents across many cultures.
1. Yael — This is Hebrew for “ibex,” a type of animal.
2. Yamileth — An Arabic name meaning “beautiful.”
3. Yara — This name means “friend” or “helper” in Arabic.
4. Yareli — This is a Native American name that means “water lady.” It also means “small butterfly” in Spanish.
5. Yaretzi — Nahuatl for “you will always be loved.”
6. Yasmin — A Persian name meaning “jasmine flower.”
7. Yuna — Japanese and Korean for “young.”
8. Yuvi — In Hebrew, this name means “stream.”
9. Yvette — French for “yew tree.”
10. Yvonne — This name means “yew wood” in French.
10 Common Girl Names That Start With Y
If you like names that feel approachable and recognizable, these Y girl names offer comfort, history, and steady appeal.
1. Yana — A Slavic name meaning “God is gracious.”
2. Yari — Spanish for “gold.”
3. Yelena — This name means “bright, shining one” in Russian.
4. Yennefer — Welsh for “white shadow” or “white wave.”
5. Yesenia — In Spanish, this name means “floral.”
6. Yolanda — A Spanish name meaning “violet flower.”
7. Yomi — Japanese for “land of the dead.”
8. Yuki — This name means “snow” in Japanese.
9. Yuri — Japanese for “lily.”
10. Yvaine — A French name meaning “evening star.”
10 Cute Girl Names That Start With Y
Sweet and playful, these Y girl names bring a soft, endearing feel while still offering depth and beautiful meanings.
1. Yaiza — Spanish for “one who shares equally.”
2. Yarrow — This name means “rough stream” in English.
3. Yetta — A Yiddish name meaning “light.”
4. Yimmi — This name means “believes” in Choctaw.
5. Yohana — Hebrew for “God is gracious.”
6. Yoli — In Spanish, this name means “violet flower.”
7. Yona — Cherokee for “bear” or Hebrew for “dove.”
8. Yoshi — A Japanese name meaning “good” or “respectful.”
9. Yuyu — This name means “gentle friend” or “dream friend” in Japanese.
10. Yzma — Arabic for “greatness.”
10 Famous Girl Names That Start With Y
Inspired by notable women in entertainment, literature, and history, these Y girl names carry stories and star power of their own.
1. Yalitza — Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio bears this name. It means “butterfly” in Spanish and Portuguese.
2. Yamina — An Arabic name meaning “proper.” French director and writer Yamina Benguigui has this name.
3. Yasmine — The addition of this name is inspired by actress Yasmine Bleeth. It means “jasmine flower” in Arabic.
4. Yaya — Actress and model Yaya DaCosta has this name. It’s Greek for “woman.”
5. Yeardley — The voice of the famous character Lisa Simpson is Yeardley Smith. In English, it means “wood clearing.”
6. Yoko — This name means “good girl” or “ocean child” in Japanese. It’s inspired by writer and activist Yoko Ono.
7. Yulia — Russian singer Yulia Townsend is the inspiration here. This is a Russian name that means “youth.”
8. Yunjin — This name is Korean for “cloud brocade.” It was inspired by actress Yunjin Kim.
9. Yuriko — In Japanese, this name means “lily child.” Yuriko Koike is the governor of Tokyo.
10. Yusra — An Arabic name meaning “prosperous.” Yusra Mardini is a Syrian Olympic swimmer.
10 Vintage Girl Names That Start With Y
These Y girl names have timeless roots and a classic feel, perfect for parents who appreciate names with history and elegance.
1. Yadira — An Arabic name meaning “worthy.”
2. Yalena — Greek and Russian for “bright, shining one.”
3. Yelaina — In Russian, this name means “shining light.”
4. Ynez — This name means “pure” or “virginal” in Spanish.
5. Yolande — Latin for “violet.”
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6. Ysabel — A Spanish name meaning “pledged to God.”
7. Ysolde — Welsh and German for “ice ruler.”
8. Yudith — This name means “woman from Judea” in Russian.
9. Yuliana — In Russian, this name means “youthful” or “sky father.”
10. Yva — A Scandinavian name meaning “life.”
70 Unique Girl Names That Start With Y
For families who enjoy names that feel different and distinctive, these Y girl names span cultures and styles you won’t hear every day.
1. Yaa — Akan for “born on a Thursday.”
2. Yaba — This name means “born on a Thursday” in Twi.
3. Yabella — A French name meaning “God is my oath.”
4. Yachna — This name means “pleading” or “prayer” in Sanskrit.
5. Yacinta — Italian for “hyacinth.”
6. Yacova — A Hebrew name meaning “supplanting.”
7. Yaen — This name means “ostrich” in Hebrew.
8. Yaffa — Hebrew for “beautiful.”
9. Yahia — An Arabic name meaning “Yahweh is merciful.”
10. Yale — This name means “fertile upland” in Welsh.
11. Yalinda — Greek and Spanish for “violet flower.”
12. Yamaris — This name means “wished for a child” or “star of the sea” in Hebrew.
13. Yamini — An Arabic name meaning “right” or “proper.”
14. Yancy — This name means “son of Jan” in English. It’s also a Native American name meaning “Yankee.”
15. Yanet — A Slavic name meaning “God is gracious.”
16. Yang — Chinese for “ocean” or “light.”
17. Yanis — In Hebrew, this name means “gift of God.”
18. Yanka — A Bulgarian name meaning “God is gracious.”
19. Yarisel — Spanish for “glorious and fierce.”
20. Yarmilla — This is a Slavic name for a merchant or trader.
21. Yasma — A Persian name meaning “jasmine flower.”
22. Yasmeen — This name also means “jasmine flower” in Persian.
23. Ya-Ting — Chinese for “elegant and graceful.”
24. Yawen — In Chinese, this name means “elegant cloud patterns.”
25. Yatziri — An invented Spanish name with an unknown origin.
26. Ye — Chinese for “leaf.”
27. Yeats — In English, this name means “gates.”
28. Yeesha — Arabic for “living” and Swahili for “prosperous.”
29. Yelda — An Arabic name meaning “dark night.”
30. Yelisabeta — Russian for “God is my oath.
31. Yemaya — This name means “mother of fish” in Yoruba.
32. Yemima — Hebrew for “dove.”
33. Yen — A Vietnamese name meaning “calm” and “peaceful.”
34. Yerusha — In Hebrew, this name means “married” or “belonging to someone.”
35. Yeter — A Turkish name meaning “efficient.”
36. Yeshna — Urdu for “happiness.”
37. Yessica — This name means “God beholds” in Hebrew.
38. Yeva — Russian and Armenian for “life.”
39. Yewa — In Yoruba, this name means “virgin” or “pure.”
40. Yindi — An Australian Aboriginal name meaning “sun.”
41. Yionna — This Hungarian name means “sunray.”
42. Ylonda — This name means “violet flower” in Greek and Spanish.
43. Ymelda — Italian and Spanish for “all-consuming fight.”
44. Yoanna — Hebrew for “God is gracious.”
45. Yocelyn — This name means “member of the Gauts tribe” in German.
46. Yolani — A Hawaiian name meaning “hawk of royalty.”
47. Yolanthe — Latin for “purple.”
48. Yolette — This name means “violet flower” in Spanish.
49. Yonah — Hebrew for “dove.”
50. Yonca — A Turkish name meaning “clover.”
51. Yoona — This Korean name means “light of God.”
52. Yordana — English for “flowing down.”
53. Yorleny — A Costa Rican name that means “yours, Lenny.”
54. Yosefa — This name means “Jehovah increases” in Hebrew.
55. Ysadora — Greek for “gift of Isis.”
56. Ysla — In Spanish, this name means “island.”
57. Yudelle — A Teutonic name meaning “wealthy.”
58. Yudita — In Russian, this name means “woman from Judea.”
59. Yuette — French and German for “yew.”
60. Yuffie — This name means “joy” in Greek.
61. Yuina — A Japanese name meaning “to tie” or “to bind.”
62. Yukiko — Japanese for “snow child.”
63. Yule — This name means “winter solstice” in English.
64. Yuma — A Native American name meaning “son of a chief.”
65. Yumi — In Japanese, this name means “archery bow.”
66. Yura — Russian for “farmer.”
67. Yustina — This name means “righteous” in Russian.
68. Yvana — Hebrew for “God’s gracious gift.”
69. Yveline — This name means “yew wood” in French.
70. Yvelise — A French name meaning “life.”
92 Rare Girl Names That Start With Y
Beautifully uncommon, these Y girl names draw from many languages and traditions for choices that truly stand out.
1. Yaalisai —This name means “melodious” in Tamil.
2. Yaeko — Japanese for “multilayered child.”
3. Yagmur — A Turkish name meaning “rain.”
4. Yahaira — Hebrew for “precious” or “dear.”
5. Yahaloma — This name means “diamond” in Hebrew.
6. Yahvi — In Sanskrit, this name means “heaven” or “earth.”
7. Yailin — A Spanish name meaning “God is most powerful.”
8. Yaling — This name means “elegant” and “tinkling like jade” in Chinese.
9. Yamila — Arabic for “beautiful.”
10. Yamuna — This name means “sacred river” in Sanskrit.
11. Yannica — Hebrew and Slavic for “God is gracious.”
12. Yanixia — This name means “pine thistle” in Greek and “God is gracious” in Hebrew.
13. Yaotl — In Nahuatl, this name means “warrior.”
14. Yaqoot — An Arabic name meaning “ruby, a precious stone.”
15. Yarely — This Native American name means “water lady.”
16. Yaroslava — Russian for “fierce and glorious.”
17. Yaryna — This name means “peace” in Greek.
18. Yashika — In Sanskrit, this name means “success and fame.”
19. Yashodhara — Sanskrit for “renowned.”
20. Yashwina — This name means “glory” in Sanskrit.
21. Yasu — Japanese for “peaceful” or “flat.”
22. Yasuko — A Japanese name meaning “peaceful child.”
23. Yaxkin — In Mayan, this name means “first day.”
24. Yazmin — A rare spelling of the Persian name “Yasmin,” meaning “jasmine flower.”
25. Yehudit — This name means “to praise” in Hebrew.
26. Yeily — The meaning and origin of this name are unknown.
27. Yeimy — Hebrew for “supplanter.”
28. Yejide — In Yoruba, this name means “mother has awakened.”
29. Yekara — A Hebrew name meaning “dear” or “expensive.”
30. Yekaterina — Russian for “pure.”
31. Yemoja — In Yoruba, this name means “mother of fish.”
32. Yenta — Yiddish for “noble.”
33. Yeruti — This name means “dove” in Guarani.
34. Yesfir — A Russian name meaning “star.”
35. Yetunde — Yoruba for “mother returned.”
36. Yevgeniya — This name means “well-born” in Russian.
37. Yevka — A Hebrew name meaning “life.”
38. Yewubdar — This Amharic name means “beautiful beyond limits.”
39. Ygerna — Latin for “mother of King Arthur.”
40. Ygritte — This name means “windling” or “free folk” in English.
41. Yides — In Hebrew, this name means “alive.”
42. Yiesha — Arabic for “living” and Swahili for “prosperous.”
43. Yihana — This name means “God is gracious” in Hebrew.
44. Yinuo — In Chinese, this name means “promise.”
45. Yisana — This name has an unknown origin and meaning.
46. Yiskah — A Hebrew name meaning “to behold.”
47. Yitty — Yiddish for “light.”
48. Yllona — A Hungarian name meaning “shining one.”
49. Yna — This Filipino name means “queen” or “pure.”
50. Ynocencia — Spanish for “innocence.”
51. Yocasta — This name means “cheerful” in Greek.
52. Yochana — In Hebrew, this name means “God is gracious.”
53. Yocheved — Hebrew for “God is glory.”
54. Yoela — A Hebrew name meaning “Jehovah is God.”
55. Yoi — This Japanese name has several meanings, including “dusk” and “joy.”
56. Yolaiza — Spanish for “violet flower.”
57. Yolihuali — This name means “source of life” in Nahuatl.
58. Yolotl — Nahuatl for “heart” or “spirit.”
59. Yoloxochitl — In Nahuatl, this name means “heart” and “flower.”
60. Yon — The origin and meaning of this name are unknown.
61. Yoneko — A Japanese name meaning “rice child.”
62. Yonit — Hebrew for “dove.”
63. Yoruba — This is the name of an African language.
64. Yoshimi — Japanese for “good” and “beautiful.”
65. Yosleen — An Arabic name meaning “happiness.”
66. Youliya — Russian for “youthful.”
67. Young-Hee — This name means “beautiful flower” in Korean.
68. Young-Mi — Korean for “prosperity” and “beautiful.”
69. Yousra — An Arabic name meaning “prosperous.”
70. Yoya — Spanish for “glory.”
71. Yrie — A Jamaican name meaning “positive and powerful.”
72. Yrsa — This Scandinavian name means “she-bear.”
73. Ysabeau — French for “pledged to God.”
74. Ysanne — This name means “grace” in Hebrew.
75. Ysandre — In Italian, this name means “defending men.”
76. Ysapy — A Guarani name meaning “dew.”
77. Ysella — Cornish for “modest.”
78. Ysip — This Filipino name means “thinking.”
79. Yubaba — Japanese for “bathhouse granny.”
80. Yuberta — A German name meaning “brilliant.”
81. Yudelka — In Hebrew, this name means “praise.”
82. Yulduz — Uzbek for “star.”
83. Yulenka — A Russian name meaning “young.”
84. Yulonda — Spanish for “violet flower.”
85. Yunalesca — This name means “night sea hibiscus” in Japanese.
86. Yunhee — A Korean name meaning “lotus flower” or “pleasure.”
87. Yunuen — The origin and meaning of this name are unknown.
88. Yurani — Hindi for “light.”
89. Yuraq — This name means “white” in Quechua.
90. Yuridiana — This Russian name is a blend of “farmer” and “divine.”
91. Yuritzy — A Mayan name meaning “moon’s lightning-bearer goddess.”
’92. Yuval — Hebrew for “stream.”
Girl names that start with Y may be less common, but that’s part of what makes them so special. We hope this list helped you discover a few favorites to add to your growing shortlist as you look for the perfect name for your baby girl.
If you’d like more baby name inspiration, here are a few other helpful lists — or visit our full baby names hub for even more ideas.
