Neutral names starting with Y

An alphabetical list of neutral names starting with Y, continued from the names page (see for more information). These are neutral-gender names, otherwise known as unisex names. They are equally appropriate for girls, boys, and people of any gender. Nonbinary people don't have to have neutral names, and many notable nonbinary people have names that are usually either masculine or feminine. Neutral names can help make it safer for people to explore their gender expressions. There are many unisex names from around the world that start with Y, more than 60 of them, as listed below. Previous page: neutral names starting with X. Next page: neutral names starting with Z.

The list
Yachin (יָכִין). Hebrew. Form of the ancient Hebrew masculine name Jachin (יָכִין), meaning "He establishes." In the Bible, Jachin was the name of a son of Simeon. The two pillars standing outside Solomon's Temple were named Jachin and Boaz (בֹּעַז which was also a masculine given name, meaning "swiftness"). Variants: Iachin (Biblical Latin; Ιαχιν, Biblical Greek transcription)  Keywords: Biblical, masculine inclined, religious, two syllables

Yachiru (やちる). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 弥智琉. Meaning "Progress," "Smart," "Jewelry." 2. 八千流. "Eight," "thousand," "flow." 3. 八千琉. "Eight," "thousand," "jewelry." Keywords: number, three syllables, prosperity, treasure

Yachiyo (やちよ). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 弥千代. Meaning "Progress," "thousand," "generation." 2. 八千代. "Eight," "thousand," "generation." 3. 矢知夜. "Arrow," "knowlege," "night." 4. 矢知世. "Arrow," "knowledge," "world." Keywords: intelligence, number, three syllables

Yae (やえ). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 陽笑. Meaning "Sun," "laugh." 2. 弥慧. "Progress," "clever." 3. 夜永. "Night," "forever." 4. 冶江. "Melt," "river." 5. 八咲. "Eight," "blossom." Keywords: time, two syllables

Yaei (やえい). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 八重依. Meaning "Eight," "weight," "depending." Keywords: number, three syllables

Yafe (יָפֶה). Hebrew. Neutral-gender form of the feminine name Yaffa, meaning "Beautiful." Variants: Jaffe (neutral-gender) and Yaffe (neutral-gender)   Keywords: appearance, beauty, two syllables, virtue

Yafumi (やふみ). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 耶風光. Meaning "Father," "wind," "laugh."

Yağmur. Turkish. Meaning "Rain." Pronounced "ya-MOOR." Keywords: elements, nature, two syllables, water, weather

Yahiro (やひろ). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 耶尋. Meaning "Father," and "ask." 2. 弥寛. "Progress," "broad-minded." Keywords: family, intelligence, personality, three syllables

Yǎhuì (雅惠). Chinese. Meaning "Elegant, graceful, refined" and "Favor, benefit," if written with these characters. Other meanings can be chosen by writing it with other characters with the same sounds. Keywords: two syllables

Yaito (やいと). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 矢糸. Meaning "Arrow," "yarn." 2. 弥絃. "Progress," "stringing." Keywords: three syllables

Yakumo (やくも). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 夜雲. Meaning "Night," "cloud." 2. 八雲. "Eight," "cloud." Keywords: three syllables

Yale. English. From the place name, meaning "From the fertile upland." Also the word for a mythological antelope, and a prestigious school. Keywords: education, mythology, one syllable, places

Yamato (やまと). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 大和. Meaning "Big," and "Peace, harmony." Keywords: peace, size, three syllables

Yami (やみ). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 矢見. Meaning "Arrow," and "to see." 2. 夜美. "Night," "beauty." 3. 弥実. "Progress," "Fruit, kindness."

Yamikani. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Be grateful, praise." Keywords: gratitude, four syllables, virtue

Yàn. Chinese. Meaning depends on the characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 艳. Meaning "Beautiful." Usually a feminine spelling only. 2. 岩. Meaning "Cliff, rocks." A gender-neutral spelling. Keywords: beauty, earth, places, stone

Yanagi (やなぎ). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 楊. Meaning "Willow." 2. 柳木. "Willow," and "Wood." 3. 八柳. "Eight," "Willow." Keywords: nature, plants, three syllables

Yancy. American, English. Circa 1880, from the American surname Yancy, from the Dutch surname Jansen, meaning "Jan's son." Jan itself is a form of the name John, ultimately from the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning "God is gracious." In the USA, 84% of people with this name are boys. Keywords: Christian, masculine inclined, modern, two syllables

Yank, or Yankee. American, English. From Civil War era slang, meaning "US Northerner," itself thought to come from the Dutch word "Engles," meaning English settlers in New England. Keywords: modern, one syllable, two syllables, places, political

Yáng. Chinese. Meaning depends on the characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 洋. Meaning "Ocean." A gender-neutral spelling. 2. 阳. Meaning "Light, sun, male." A masculine spelling. Keywords: nature, one syllable, places, water

Yanick, Yannic, Yannick, or Yannig. Breton, French. Neutral pet form of the names Yann or Yanna, which are Breton forms of the name John, ultimately from the Hebrew name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning "God is gracious." Pronounced "ya-neek." Keywords: Christian, two syllables

Yantse. Native American, Tewa tribe. Meaning "Yellow willow." Keywords: colours, nature, plants

Yao (やお). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 夜桜. Meaning "Night" and "cherry blossoms." 2. 埜央. "Central," "field." 3. 八緒. "Eight," "cord." 4. 弥旺. "Progress," "shining light."

Yaotl. Native American, Nahuatl (Aztec). Meaning "Warrior." Keywords: battle, warrior, power

Yarden (יַרְדֵן). Hebrew. Another Romanized spelling of the Hebrew neutral name Jordan (יַרְדֵן), meaning "To descend, flow down," and the name of the river where Jesus Christ was baptized. Christians adopted Jordan and its variants as given names, as a reference to baptism. Keywords: Christian, elements, liminal spaces, religious, two syllables, water

Yardley. English. From the place name, meaning "From the wood where spars were got." In the USA, 51% of people with this name have been boys. Keywords: nature, neutral inclined, places, plants

Yaroslava (Ярослава). Russian, Ukrainian, and Medieval Slavic. A neutral form of the name Jarosław, meaning "Fierce and glorious." Pronounced "yi-ru-SLA-va." Keywords: battle, four syllables, strength, warrior

Yasa (やさ). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 椰紗. Meaning "Palm" and "gauze."

Yasaka (やさか). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 優香. Meaning "Superiority" and "incense." 2. 優華. "Superiority," "flower."

Yasu. Japanese. Meaning depends on kanji chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 安. Meaning "Peace, quiet." 2. 康. Meaning "Peaceful." 3. 坦. Meaning "Flat, smooth, level." Keywords: peace, two syllables

Yates. English. From the surname, meaning "Dweller by the gates." Keywords: liminal spaces, one syllable, places

Yǎtíng (雅婷). Chinese. Meaning "Elegant, graceful, refined," and "Pretty, graceful," if written with the characters shown here. Keywords: beauty, two syllables

Yaxha. Native American, Mayan. From the name of an archaeological site in Guatemala, meaning "Green water." Keywords: colours, places, water

Yayauhqui. Native American, Nahuatl. Meaning "Black smoking mirror." Keywords: colours

Yǎzhù (雅筑). Chinese. Meaning "Elegant, graceful, refined," and "Lute, zither, build," if written with the characters shown here. Keywords: arts, beauty, music, two syllables

Yeardleigh, Yeardley. English. From the place name Yardly, meaning "From the wood where spars were got." Keywords: nature, places, plants

Yeong (영). Korean. From Sino-Korean, in which the meaning depends upon the Korean Hanja spelling. Pronounced like "yung." Keywords: one syllable

Yí (with rising tone). Chinese. Meaning depends on the characters chosen to write it. 1. 宜. Meaning "Suitable, proper." 2. 怡. Meaning "Joy, harmony." A feminine spelling. 3. 仪. Meaning "Ceremony, rights." A feminine spelling. Keywords: emotions, feminine inclined, joy, one syllable, virtues

Yì (with falling tone). Chinese. Meaning depends on the characters chosen to write it. 1. 毅. Meaning "Resolute, decisive firm." 2. 义. Meaning "Justice, righteousness." 3. 益. Meaning "Profit, benefit." Keywords: one syllable, prosperity, virtues

Yíjūn (怡君). Chinese. Meaning "Joy, harmony," and "King, ruler," if written with the characters shown. Keywords: emotions, joy, royalty, two syllables

Yildiz. Turkish. Meaning "Star." Keywords: light, nature, sky, star

Yimeyam. Native American, Coos tribe. Meaning "Bright." Keywords: light

Yīn (with high tone). Chinese. Meaning depends on characters chosen to write it. 1. 音. Meaning "Sound, tone." 2. 荫. Meaning "Shade, shelter, protect." Keywords: one syllable

Yín (with rising tone) (银). Chinese. Meaning "Silver, money." Keywords: colours, one syllable, prosperity, treasure

Ying (英). Chinese. Meaning "Petal, flower; outstanding, surpassing; admirable, heroic." Keywords: one syllable, virtue

Ynes. Spanish. Medieval Spanish version of Inés, which in turn derives from a latinized version of the Greek name Hagne (Ἁγνή), meaning "chaste." US SSA data shows that this name is used as a feminine name 53% of the time. Keywords: neutral inclined

Yohance. West Africa, Hausa. Meaning "God's gift."

Yolotl or Yolotli. Native American, Nahuatl. Meaning "Heart." Keywords: three syllables

Yolyamanitzin. Native American, Nahuatl. Meaning "Considerate, tender person." Keywords: affection, five syllables, love, personality

Yǒng. Chinese. Meaning depends on characters chosen to write it. 1. 勇. Meaning "Brave." 2. 永. Meaning "Perpetual, eternal." Keywords: courage, one syllable, warrior

Yoomee. Native American, Coos tribe. Meaning "Star." Keywords: light, nature, sky, star, two syllables

Yori (より). Japanese. Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 愛. Meaning "Love." 2. 縁. "Edge." 3. 和. "Calm, harmony, peace." 4. 世莉. "World," "type of tree." Keywords: two syllables

Yoshi (よし). Japanese. Pronounced "yo-shee." Short form of several names beginning with Yoshi. Meaning depends on the kanji chosen to write it, some options for which follow; there are others. 1. 義. Meaning "Correct; righteous." 2. 吉. Meaning "Fine, happy; good luck." 3. 良. Meaning "Good, nice, virtuous, respectable." Keywords: joy, luck, personality, two syllables, virtue

Yoshie (よしえ). Japanese. Pronounced "yo-shee-eh." Meaning depends on the two kanji characters chosen to write it. For example, the first character, for the "yoshi" part, can be 芳 (meaning "fragrant, virtuous, beautiful"), or 由 (meaning "reason, case"). The second character, for the "-e" part, can be 恵, meaning "favor, benefit, blessed." Other meanings are possible by using other kanji spellings. Keywords: beauty, joy, luck, personality, three syllables, virtue

Young (영). Korean. Alternative spelling of the Korean unisex name Yeong (영). Keywords: one syllable

Yu (various tones). Chinese. Meaning depends on the characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 宇. Meaning "Appearance, countenance." 2. 鱼. Meaning "Fish." 3. 羽. Meaning "Feather, wing." 4. Yù. 玉. Meaning "Jade." 5. 聿. Meaning "Nimble, quick." 6. Yú. 愉. Meaning "Pleasant, delightful." 7. Yǔ. 雨. Meaning "Rain." Keywords: air, animals, appearance, elements, joy, nature, personality, treasure, value, weather, water

Yue (月). Chinese. Meaning "Moon." Keywords: moon, nature, one syllable, sky

Yüksel. Turkish. Meaning "Rise." Keywords: two syllables

Yule. English. Meaning "Christmastime, midwinter, winter solstice, feast." In the USA, about 51 people have had this name. Keywords: Christian, food, fun, one syllable, Pagan, rare, religious, winter

Yun (various tones). Chinese. Meaning depends on characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 筠. Meaning "Bamboo skin." 2. 雲. Meaning "Clouds." 3. Yún. 云. Meaning "Cloud." 4. Yǔn. 允. Meaning "Allow, consent." Keywords: air, nature, one syllable, plants, sky, weather

Yun-Seo (윤서). Korean. Keywords: two syllables

Yunuen. Native American, Mayan. From the name of an island on Lake Pátzcuaro in Mexico, possibly meaning "Half moon." Keywords: moon, nature, places, water

Yusheng. Chinese. Meaning depends on the characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 鱼生. Meaning "Fish life." 2. 羽生. Meaning "Winged life." Keywords: animals, air, birds, elements, fish, nature, water

Yutaka (ゆたか). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 裕. "Rich." 2. 豊. "Rich." 3. 豊賀. "Rich" and "to be delighted." 4. 豊香. "Rich" and "incense." 4. 豊歌. "Rich" and "Song." 5. 豊花. "Rich" and "flower." 6. 豊夏. "Rich" and "summer." 7. 豊果. "Rich" and "fruit." 8. 豊嘉. "Rich" and "fine." 9. 豊加. "Rich" and "addition." 10. 豊可. "Rich" and "yes." 11. 豊佳. "Rich" and "beautiful, lovely." 12. 悠鷹. "Much far" and "hawk." 13. 優鷹. "Superiority" and "hawk." 14. 由多佳. "Reason," "multi," and "beautiful, lovely." 15. 夕多香. "Evening," "multi," and "incense." Keywords: animals, beauty, birds, food, nature, prosperity, summer, time

Yuu, Yū (ゆう). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 愛. Meaning "Love." 2. 友. "Friend." 3. 癒雨. "Healing," "rain." 4. 優卯. "Superiority," "rabbit." 5. 祐羽. "Help of god," "wing." 6. 柚宇. "Citrus fruit," "World." 7. 由侑. "Reason," "Help someone." Keywords: affection, animals, food, nature, water, weather

Yuuki, Yūki, Yûki, Yuki (ゆうき). Japanese. Meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen to write it, some options for which follow. 1. 幸. Meaning "Happiness; good fortune." 2. 雪. Meaning "Snow." A notable nonbinary person with this name is Yuhki Kamatani, an X-gender Japanese manga artist. Keywords: emotion, joy, luck, nature, water, winter

Yuuri, Yūri, Yûri, Yuri (ゆうり). Japanese. Meaning depends on kanji characters chosen to write it. Some possible choices follow. 1. 有理. Meaning "Rational." 2. 祐里. Meaning "Lily." 3. 有利. Meaning "Advantageous." 4. 雄利. Meaning "Cage." Keywords: plants, virtue

Yuuya (ゆうや). Japanese. Meaning depends on kanji characters chosen to write it. Some possible choices follow. 1. 悠弥. Meaning "Much far," and "Progress." 2. 結矢. "Tie," "arrow." 3. 有耶. "Have," "Father."

Yuval (יוּבָל). Hebrew. A form of the masculine ancient Hebrew name Jubal (יוּבָל), meaning "Stream." In the book of Genesis, Jubal was the name of the first musician. In modern Hebrew, Yuval is a gender-neutral name. In the USA, 60% of people named Yuval are boys. Keywords: Biblical, neutral inclined, two syllables

Yvian. American, modern. A name created from a combination of the names Yves (meaning "Yew tree," masculine), Yvonne ("yew tree," feminine), and Vivian ("life," neutral). Keywords: modern