The letter Y has a special something about it. Whether you want to find baby girl names starting with Y because your family has a tradition of using this letter or you just like the way it sounds, we compiled the best girl names that start with Y from across the globe.
Unique Girl Names That Start With Y
Many girls’ names beginning with Y are unique to begin with, but if you are looking for something different, these unique girl names will be sure to inspire you on your baby naming journey. 1. Yaiza. This Spanish name actually comes from the name of a town in the Canary Islands. The name Yaiza was used by Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa in his Ocean trilogy books and could be an interesting choice if you are a fan of the books or you have ties to the Canary Islands.
2. Yang. Yang comes from the Chinese characters meaning “ocean” when used as a girls’ name. When using the characters that mean “light,” “male,” or “sun,” this is typically for a boy.
3. Yanick. This is a diminutive for Yanna—the Breton feminine form of Yann (John)—in Brittany, a region in northwestern France—and a lovely choice if you or your family have Breton connections.
4. Yanina. Yanina is a name used in Ukraine and Russia, as the diminutive for Yana, which is the Slavic and feminine form of the name Ioannes (John).
5. Yanna. Yanna is a name used both in Greece, as the Greek from of Gianna, or in Britanny as the feminine form of Yann.
6. Yelena. This is the Russian form of Helen and could be a good alternative choice to the name, if you want your little girl to stand out from the crowd.
7. Yente. Yente is a rare Yiddish name that comes from the French word gentille, meaning “noble” or “aristocratic.” It featured in the musical Fiddler on the Roof. Because of the character, who was a gossipy matchmaker, this name also acquired the meaning of “gossiper.”
8. Yesfir. This is the Russian form of the biblical name Esther.
9. Yevdokiya. This is the Ukrainian and Russian form of Eudocia, which comes from the Greek word eudokeo, meaning “to be well pleased” or “to be satisfied.”
10. Yevpraksiya. This is a rare name used in Russia coming from the Greek name Eupraxia, meaning “good conduct” in Greek. It was the name of the daughter of Vsevolod I, the grand prince of Kyiv, who then became the wife of Holy Roman emperor Henry IV. A beautiful and unique name, especially if you have Slavic roots.
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More Unique Girl Names That Start With Y
Choosing the right baby name can be a huge decision, so while it can be fun but also overwhelming. Watch this video for some exciting facts that could help you find the perfect baby name!
Hebrew and Biblical Girl Names That Start With Y
You’ll find many biblical and Hebrew Y girl names. Did you know some of the more common biblical baby names starting with J or I actually start with Y in the original Hebrew? Have a look at these Hebrew and Biblical girl names that start with Y to see if you can find the right one for your little girl.31. Yael. This name means “ibex” or “mountain goat” in Hebrew. It’s the form of the name Jael, a name that appears in the Old Testament attributed to the wife of Heber the Kenite.
32. Yedidah. Yedidah has its roots in the Hebrew word yadid, meaning “beloved” or “friend.” Yedidah—or Jedidah in the alternative transliteration of the Hebrew name—was the wife of King Amon of Judah in the Old Testament.
33. Yehosheva. This Hebrew name means “Yahweh is an oath”, and is used in the Old Testament for the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah, who also goes by Jehosheba in certain translations.
34. Yehudit. This is the Hebrew form of Judith, meaning “Jewish woman” in Hebrew. She is the main character in the apocryphal Book of Judith.
35. Yemima. Meaning “dove” in Hebrew, Yemima is the Hebrew form of Jemima, one of the three daughters of Job in the Old Testament.
36. Yerushah. The Hebrew form of Jerusha comes from the word yarash, meaning “possession.” She was the wife of King Uzziah of Judah in the Old Testament.
37. Yiskah. Yiskah means “to behold” in Hebrew and is somethings spelled Iscah. This is the name of Abraham’s niece and may even be the basis of the name Jessica.
38. Yocheved. This name means “Yahweh is glory,” and is more commonly spelled Jochebed. It is used as the name of the mother of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses in the Old Testament.
39. Yachin. Yachin means “he establishes” in Hebrew. Although the name refers to a male character in the Old Testament, this form is used for both men and women.
40. Yonah. Although Yonah is the Hebrew form of the boys’ name Jonah, it’s a unisex name in modern Hebrew.
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Cool Y Names For Girls
Whether you’re looking for a name that sounds cool, has a cool meaning, or just named after someone cool, these Y girl names should tick all the boxes. 51. Yamuna. Yamuna is the name of a sacred Indian river that flows into the Ganges—the point where the two rivers meet is where the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious festivals in the world, takes place. The river most likely got its name from the Hindu goddess Yami.
52. Yana. This name is the Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and Russian form of Jana, the feminine form of Jan, which comes from John.
53. Yaroslava. Yaroslava is a feminine form of Yaroslav and used mostly in Ukraine and Russia. It comes from the Slavic elements yaru, meaning “fierce” or “energetic” and slava, meaning “glory.”
54. Yolanda. This pretty name comes from the medieval French name Yolande and is likely to come from the name Violante, from the Latin for “violet.” However, some also say it could even be of Germanic origin. This name became popular with royals and nobles in the Middle Ages. One contemporary example of this name is model Yolanda Hadid, who is also the mother of Gigi and Bella Hadid.
55. Yauheniya. This name is the Belarusian form of Eugenia, a third-century saint who escaped persecution by disguising herself as a man.
56. Yvonne. Yvonne is the French feminine name of Yvon, a medieval diminutive of Yves, which has its roots in the Germanic word meaning “yew.”
57. Yentl. This Yiddish name is a diminutive of Yente, and while it’s a rare name, it became famous after the play of the same name by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer, which then became a musical film starring Barbra Streisand.
58. Yesenia. This is a Latin American name coming from Jessenia, the genus name for a variety of palm trees found in South America. It became popular as a given name with the 1970s Mexican telenovela of the same name and then the later film adaptation.
59. Yevfrosiniya. Yevfrosiniya is the Russian form of Euphrosyne, a Greek name meaning “mirth” or “merriment.” Euphrosyne was also one of the three Graces in Greek mythology.
60. Yoko. This is a Japanese name either meaning “light,” “sun,” or “ocean” and “child.” It perhaps became famous with Japanese artist and wife of John Lennon, Yoko Ono.
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International Y Girl Names
You’ll find Y baby girl names from across the globe, but if you need more international names that start with Y, have a look at this collection, including Japanese girl names, Mexican baby names, and names from Ethiopia, Ukraine, China, and more!71. Yadira. Although Yadira is mostly used in Latin America or in the Hispanic community in the United States, the name is likely to come from Arabic, although its meaning is unknown. It’s been used in Mexico since the 1940s, with Colombian actress Yadira Jiménez, who performed in Mexican films since 1946, perhaps helping with its popularity.
72. Yaeko. This Japanese girls’ name means “multilayered” and “child,” although it could also be made up with other Kanji characters with different meanings.
73. Yahui. This Chinese name can be used for both boys and girls. It comes from the elements yă, meaning “elegant,” “refined,” or “graceful” and huì, meaning “favor” or “benefit.”
74. Yekaterina. Yekaterina is the Russian spelling of Katherine.
75. Yelysaveta. This name is the traditional Ukrainian form of Elizabeth and is a lovely choice if you have connections to Ukraine.
76. Yeong. Yeong is a name used for both boys and girls in Korea. It comes from the Sino-Korean word yeong, meaning “flower,” “brave,” “petal,” or “hero.” It can be combined with another character to form a different name, but it can be used as a standalone name.
77. Yewubdar. This lovely Ethiopian name means “beautiful beyond limits” in Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia). If you or your family have roots in East Africa, this could be a great choice for your little one.
78. Yewande. Yewande is used as a girls’ name in West Africa, meaning “mother has returned” in Yoruba.
79. Yawen. This Chinese name has its roots in the characters yă, meaning “elegant,” “refined,” or “graceful” (just like with Yahui) and wén, meaning “cloud” or “patterns.”
80. Yamila. This is a form of the Arabic girls’ name Jamila, which has its roots in the Arabic word for “beautiful,” but is actually a popular name in Latin America.
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Cute Girl Names That Start With Y
Perhaps you’re looking for a cute girl name that starts with Y, maybe that name just sounds sweet or has a sweet meaning, these cute names will put a smile on your face and may even be the perfect one for your adorable little girl. 91. Yanka. This is the Bulgarian feminine form of Yoan (John) and has a cute ring to it.
92. Yenny. If you’re looking for a unique way to spell Jenny, then you may want to try Yenny. This is mostly used in Latin America and is a cute and alternative form of the name.
93. Yi. Yi is a cute name, with many possible meanings depending on the characters used. It’s used for boys and girls, but for girls it usually means “joy” or “harmony.”
94. Yolotl. This is an adorable name meaning “heart” in Nahuatl, a beautiful language spoken by Aztecs, which is still used today by Mexicans of Aztec descent.
95. Yoshi. Yoshi means “good luck” in Japanese. It can also mean “righteous” or “good.” Either way, this name is just adorable in every way!
96. Yvette. Yvette has a sweet ring to it, and comes from the French feminine form of Yves, meaning “yew” in old Germanic.
97. Yu-Mi. This pretty Korean name comes from the Sino-Korean words yu, meaning “have” or “possess” and mi, meaning “beautiful.”
98. Yutke. Yutke is a sweet Yiddish diminutive of Judith.
99. Yancy. Yancy has its roots in the Dutch surname, Jansen, meaning “Jan’s son.” Today it’s used for both boys and girls.
100. Yaretzi. This pretty Latin American name comes from Yaritza, which combines Yara with the suffix used in Maritza.
More Cute Girl Names That Start With Y
The Bottom Line
Keep the baby-naming party going with more letters by name, such as girl names that start with Z. Or, maybe you want to have a look at some other cosmopolitan names like French girl names or Italian baby girl names to find a great name for your little one. Whether you’re at the stage of packing for your hospital bag or are calculating the due date of your baby, it’s never too early to download the Pampers Club app, where you can get rewards and discounts for the diapers you buy.