Boy names starting with Y aren’t exactly common.
In fact, Y ranks 23rd out of 26 in terms of most popular first initials. It’s not dead last, but that’s still a far cry from letters like A, M, and J that offer so many options you could name a dozen children without missing a beat.
Multiple boy names beginning with Y do appear in the current US Top 1000, though none of them are common. As of 2024, just one sneaks into the current Top 500!
That said, if you want a really distinctive name for your child, starting with a neglected first initial isn’t a bad strategy. And some stylish Y names do make this list, in popular categories like surnames and nature names, too.
Table of Contents
POPULAR BOY NAMES STARTING WITH Y
YUSUF (#475)
The typical Arab form of Joseph – and the most popular of the boy names beginning with Y.
YOSEF (#611)
One of several international forms of Joseph, this one Hebrew.
YAHYA (#706)
Yet another of the many international forms of John, this time used in Arabic as well as Persian.
YEHUDA (#733)
Also spelled Yehudah, this is the Hebrew form of Judah.
YAHIR (#764)
A Spanish name boosted by a Mexican celebrity. It might be derived from Old Testament name Jair, meaning “he shines.”
YOUSEF (#766)
Another form of Joseph, heard in Persian.
YAEL (#790)
An Old Testament name, Yael is typically feminine, but American parents prefer it for boys.
YISROEL (#950)
The Yiddish form of Israel. The I spelling remains far more popular.
YITZCHOCK (#958)
Another form of Yitzhak, the Hebrew version of Isaac.
YAAKOV (#978)
A Hebrew form of Jacob.
YESHUA (#982)
Another form of Joshua or Jesus.
RARE BOY NAMES BEGINNING WITH Y
YADIEL
The Spanish form of a Hebrew name, Yadiel means “praise of God.”
YAGO
Yet another cousin to Jacob and James, this one reminiscent of Santiago and Iage.
YALE
A preppy surname name inspired by an Ivy League institution.
YANAI
Popular in modern Israel, it may come from an Aramaic phrase meaning “he will answer.”
YANCY
Yet another surname derived from John, this time via the Dutch Jan or Yan.
YANNI and YANNIS
The Greek form of John.
YANNIK
Also spelled Yanik, this also comes from John. It’s also spelled Yanik.
YAPHET
Another form of the Old Testament name Japheth.
YARDEN
Hebrew form of Jordan, much less familiar than the English version, but still wearable.
YARDLEY
As a place name, Yardley originally referred to a clearing good for gathering lumber. Today it sounds like a polished and unexpected surname option.
YARON
Hebrew name meaning “to sing.” Seldom heard in American English, but with names like Aaron so familiar, why not Yaron?
YARROW
A possible nature name, borrowed from the herb.
YATES
File Yates with Brooks, Hayes, Wells, and other stylish surnames ending with s.
YITZHAK
Hebrew form of Isaac.
YNGVI
A name straight out of Norse mythology, made world famous by legendary guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. Yngwie was a spelling chosen by the musician.
YOHAN, YOHANNES
Even more forms of John.
YORICK
As in Shakespeare’s “Alas, poor Yorick” from Hamlet. It’s mostly likely a cousin to George, since the German, Dutch, and Scandi form of the name started with a soft J – Jorg or Jorn, pronounced like yorg or yorn.
YORK
A place name whispered down the alley from its original form, York likely first referred to yew trees.
YOVANI, YOVANNI
More forms of John, this time inspired by the Italian Giovanni.
YSIDRO
Medieval Spanish form of saint’s name Isidore.
YUKON
An Alaskan place name borrowed from a native phrase meaning “great river.”
YUL and YULE
Slavic Yul comes from Julius, while Yule simply refers to Christmas Day.
YURI
Russian form of George. Associated with cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin, the first person to travel to space.
YVES
A traditional medieval French name known from saints and a fashion designer, Yves also refers to yew trees.
What are your favorite boy names starting with Y?
Originally published on May 3, 2021, this post was revised and updated on October 8, 2022; April 22, 2024; September 19, 2024; and November 24, 2025.
I once had a coworker named Yakup, which I assumed was a form of Jacob. I believe he had some Turkish ancestry but I’m not sure where it comes from.
I love the Hebrew name Yaniv (pron. yah-neev) meaning “:He will prosper”
I know a little boy named Yale- though he pronounces it as ya-lay which I find intriguing. He also has a brother named Yanick so that could be another addition to boys’ name starting with Y. I’ve also become a fan of the name York over the last few years, and Yuval.
I meant Yorick, not York.