This page brings together 71 female names that start with the letter Y, running alphabetically from “Yasmin” all the way to “Yael.” You’ll find names drawn from many cultures, including Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, Spanish, and Yoruba traditions, each with its own sound and story. Parents use this list to find baby name ideas, while writers and curious readers explore it to learn the roots and meanings behind these names.
Female names are words given to girls and women to identify them, often chosen for their sound, heritage, or meaning. Many Y names carry beautiful imagery, such as “Yasmin,” which comes from the Persian word for the fragrant jasmine flower, and “Yael,” a brave heroine from the biblical Book of Judges.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the female name itself, spelled clearly so you can see exactly how it looks and quickly find the one you like.
Origin: This tells you the language or culture a name comes from, helping you understand its background and the traditions connected to it.
Meaning: This explains what the name stands for, giving you the deeper sense behind it so you can choose one that feels right.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known women who share the name, offering real examples that bring the name to life and show its character.
Description: This gives you a short, friendly summary of the name, blending its history, popularity, and charm into a few easy sentences.
Female names
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yasmin | Persian | Jasmine flower | Yasmin Le Bon, Yasmin Paige |
| Yara | Arabic/Brazilian | Small butterfly; water lady | Yara Shahidi, Yara Greyjoy |
| Yael | Hebrew | Mountain goat; ibex | Yael Naim, Yael Grobglas |
| Yolanda | Greek/Spanish | Violet flower | Yolanda Adams, Yolanda King |
| Yvonne | French/Germanic | Yew wood; archer | Yvonne De Carlo, Yvonne Strahovski |
| Yvette | French | Yew tree | Yvette Mimieux, Yvette Nicole Brown |
| Yana | Slavic/Hebrew | God is gracious | Yana Kudryavtseva, Yana Gupta |
| Yasmine | Persian/Arabic | Jasmine | Yasmine Bleeth, Yasmine Hamdan |
| Yuki | Japanese | Snow; happiness | Yuki Kajiura, Yuki Amami |
| Yuna | Korean/Japanese | Gentle; willing | Yuna Kim, Yuna (singer) |
| Yusra | Arabic | Ease; prosperity | Yusra Mardini |
| Yolande | French | Violet | Yolande of Aragon |
| Yaffa | Hebrew | Beautiful | Yaffa Yarkoni |
| Yadira | Arabic/Spanish | Worthy; suitable | Yadira Guevara-Prip |
| Yesenia | Spanish/Arabic | Flower; palm tree | Yesenia Adame |
| Yousra | Arabic | Prosperity; ease | Yousra (Egyptian actress) |
| Yulia | Russian/Latin | Youthful; downy | Yulia Lipnitskaya, Yulia Tymoshenko |
| Yuriko | Japanese | Lily child | Yuriko Koike |
| Yvaine | Literary/Scots | Evening star | Yvaine (Stardust) |
| Yetta | Yiddish | Ruler of the home | Yetta Bronstein |
| Yoko | Japanese | Ocean child; positive child | Yoko Ono, Yoko Shimomura |
| Yoselin | Spanish | Joyful; lovely | Yoselin Reyes |
| Yamila | Arabic/Spanish | Beautiful | Yamila Diaz-Rahi |
| Yvonette | French | Little yew | — |
| Yaritza | Spanish | Water lady | Yaritza Reyes |
| Yumiko | Japanese | Beautiful child of reason | Yumiko Shaku |
| Yuliana | Latin/Spanish | Youthful | Yuliana Peniche |
| Yaa | Akan (Ghanaian) | Born on Thursday | Yaa Asantewaa |
| Yenny | Spanish/Welsh | Fair; white wave | Yenny Wahlberg |
| Yvonna | Slavic/French | Yew | — |
| Yaqueline | Spanish | Supplanter | — |
| Yamileth | Arabic/Spanish | Beautiful | Yamileth Mercado |
| Yolimar | Spanish | Combined name | — |
| Yvelisse | Spanish | Yew; pledge | — |
| Yumi | Japanese | Beautiful; bow | Yumi Matsutoya |
| Ylenia | Italian/Greek | Forest dweller | Ylenia Carrisi |
| Yseult | Celtic/Welsh | Fair one; ice ruler | Iseult of Ireland |
| Yuriko | Japanese | Village of lilies | Yuriko Yoshitaka |
| Yetunde | Yoruba | Mother has returned | Yetunde Price |
| Yejide | Yoruba | Image of the mother | — |
| Yoanna | Bulgarian | God is gracious | — |
| Yamila | Argentine | Beautiful | Yamila Reyna |
| Yarina | Slavic | Spring; peace | — |
| Yelena | Russian/Greek | Bright; shining light | Yelena Isinbayeva |
| Yesica | Spanish/Hebrew | God beholds | Yesica Toscanini |
| Yohanna | Hebrew | God is gracious | — |
| Yumna | Arabic | Good fortune; blessed | — |
| Yui | Japanese | Bind; superior | Yui Aragaki |
| Yamilet | Spanish | Beautiful | Yamilet Ayala |
| Yolonda | African American | Violet | — |
| Yedida | Hebrew | Beloved; friend | — |
| Yemaya | Yoruba | Mother of waters | Yemaya (orisha) |
| Yu | Chinese | Jade; rain | — |
| Ying | Chinese | Flower; brave | Ying Liu |
| Yan | Chinese | Swallow bird; beautiful | — |
| Yamuna | Sanskrit | Sacred river | — |
| Yashoda | Sanskrit | Giver of fame | — |
| Yamini | Sanskrit | Night | — |
| Yoshiko | Japanese | Good child | Yoshiko Yamaguchi |
| Yoshie | Japanese | Beautiful blessing | — |
| Ysabel | Spanish/Hebrew | God is my oath | — |
| Yaiza | Spanish | Place name | — |
| Yseult | French | Fair one | — |
| Yamileth | Honduran | Beautiful | — |
| Yanira | Greek/Spanish | Sea nymph | — |
| Yamilex | Spanish | Beautiful | — |
| Yohana | Spanish | God is gracious | — |
| Yashica | Sanskrit | Success; fame | — |
| Yuan | Chinese | Graceful; original | — |
| Yumi | Korean | Beauty | Yumi (Yumi’s Cells) |
| Yael | Israeli | Ibex | — |
Descriptions
Yasmin
A fragrant, floral name derived from the Persian word for jasmine, popular across the Middle East and Europe in spellings like Yasmine and Jasmin.
Yara
A short, melodic name with roots in both Arabic and Brazilian Tupi folklore, where Yara is a legendary water spirit.
Yael
A biblical Hebrew name belonging to a heroine in the Book of Judges, symbolizing agility and strength.
Yolanda
A romantic name meaning violet, widely used in Spanish-speaking countries and a variant of Violante and Iolanthe.
Yvonne
An elegant French feminine form of Yves, associated with the yew tree and archery traditions of medieval Europe.
Yvette
A graceful French diminutive of Yves, evoking the resilient yew and a vintage mid-century charm.
Yana
A bright, simple name common across Eastern Europe, functioning as a Slavic form of Jane or Anna.
Yasmine
A flowing variant of Yasmin meaning jasmine, prized for its soft sound and exotic floral imagery.
Yuki
A delicate unisex Japanese name often given to girls, meaning snow or happiness depending on the characters used.
Yuna
A popular modern East Asian name, made famous by Olympic figure skater Yuna Kim, suggesting grace and softness.
Yusra
An uplifting Arabic name meaning ease and good fortune, carried by the Olympic refugee swimmer Yusra Mardini.
Yolande
A medieval French form of Yolanda, borne by influential queens and noblewomen of the Middle Ages.
Yaffa
A cheerful Hebrew name meaning beautiful, popular in Israel and linked to the city of Jaffa.
Yadira
A lyrical name popular in Latin America, thought to derive from Arabic roots meaning worthy or befitting.
Yesenia
A romantic Hispanic name popularized by a 1970 Mexican telenovela, often associated with flowers and warmth.
Yousra
A graceful Arabic name meaning ease and abundance, famously borne by celebrated Egyptian actress Yousra.
Yulia
A Slavic form of Julia meaning youthful, common across Russia and Ukraine in politics and sport.
Yuriko
A graceful Japanese name combining lily and child, borne by the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike.
Yvaine
A poetic, modern name meaning evening star, popularized by the heroine of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust.
Yetta
A vintage Yiddish name, often a pet form of Henrietta, conveying domestic authority and warmth.
Yoko
A classic Japanese name meaning ocean or sunshine child, made globally famous by artist Yoko Ono.
Yoselin
A modern Latin American variant of Jocelyn, popular for its sweet, contemporary sound.
Yamila
A South American name derived from the Arabic Jamila, meaning beautiful and graceful.
Yvonette
A rare diminutive of Yvonne, adding a delicate, affectionate flourish to the classic yew-tree name.
Yaritza
A melodic Latin American blend name evoking water and femininity, popular in the Dominican Republic.
Yumiko
A refined Japanese name combining beauty, reason, and child, conveying intelligence and elegance.
Yuliana
A flowing elaboration of Julia, popular in Latin America and Eastern Europe for its graceful rhythm.
Yaa
A traditional Akan day-name for girls born on Thursday, honored through warrior queen Yaa Asantewaa.
Yenny
A Hispanic variant of Jenny, a pet form of Jennifer, conveying fairness and gentleness.
Yvonna
A Slavicized spelling of Yvonne, blending Eastern European flair with the classic yew-tree meaning.
Yaqueline
A Hispanic phonetic spelling of Jacqueline, the feminine form of Jacques, meaning one who follows.
Yamileth
A Central American elaboration of Jamila, popular in Nicaragua and Honduras for its melodic ending.
Yolimar
A modern Venezuelan invented name, blending elements for a unique, musical feminine identity.
Yvelisse
A creative Hispanic name fusing Yvonne and Elisse, popular in the Dominican Republic.
Yumi
A charming Japanese name meaning beauty or archery bow, light and graceful in sound.
Ylenia
An Italian name linked to woodland and the Greek Helen, made known by singer Ylenia Carrisi.
Yseult
A medieval Arthurian name belonging to the tragic heroine of the Tristan and Iseult romance.
Yuriko
A serene Japanese name evoking a community of lilies, suggesting purity and natural beauty.
Yetunde
A meaningful Yoruba name given when a child is believed to embody a returned ancestor.
Yejide
A poetic Yoruba name meaning one who resembles her mother, rich in family symbolism.
Yoanna
A graceful Slavic form of Joanna, popular in Bulgaria and the Balkans.
Yamila
A widely loved Argentine name descended from Arabic Jamila, meaning lovely and graceful.
Yarina
A gentle Eastern European name associated with springtime renewal and tranquility.
Yelena
A radiant Russian form of Helen, borne by record-breaking pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva.
Yesica
A Hispanic spelling of Jessica, popular in Argentina and across Latin America.
Yohanna
A feminine form of John used in Scandinavian and Latin cultures, conveying divine grace.
Yumna
A serene Arabic name meaning blessed and prosperous, popular in Muslim communities worldwide.
Yui
A popular modern Japanese name suggesting connection and refinement, common among young women.
Yamilet
A Central American variant of Jamila, beloved for its lyrical ending and meaning of beauty.
Yolonda
A spelling variant of Yolanda, popular in mid-century America, meaning the violet flower.
Yedida
A warm Hebrew name meaning dearly loved, conveying close friendship and affection.
Yemaya
A spiritual name honoring the Yoruba ocean goddess and protector of women and children.
Yu
A classic Chinese name meaning jade or rain, symbolizing purity, value, and natural beauty.
Ying
A delicate Chinese name meaning blossom or heroic, conveying beauty and courage.
Yan
A graceful Chinese name evoking the swallow or feminine beauty, light and elegant.
Yamuna
A spiritual Indian name honoring the holy Yamuna River and its goddess in Hindu tradition.
Yashoda
A revered Hindu name belonging to the foster mother of Lord Krishna, symbolizing nurturing love.
Yamini
A poetic Indian name meaning night, evoking calm, mystery, and starlit beauty.
Yoshiko
A traditional Japanese name combining goodness and child, conveying virtue and kindness.
Yoshie
A graceful Japanese name suggesting a beautiful gift or blessing, warm and gentle.
Ysabel
A medieval Spanish spelling of Isabel, elegant and historic, meaning devoted to God.
Yaiza
A Canary Islands place-name turned given name, popular in Spain for its sunny, modern feel.
Yseult
A romantic medieval French name from Arthurian legend, evoking beauty and tragic love.
Yamileth
A Central American favorite descended from Arabic Jamila, beloved for its lyrical, graceful sound.
Yanira
A lyrical name linked to a Greek Nereid, popular in Latin America for its watery elegance.
Yamilex
A modern Hispanic blend name rooted in Jamila, popular for its contemporary, musical flair.
Yohana
A Latin American feminine form of John, conveying divine grace and goodwill.
Yashica
A modern Indian name suggesting glory and achievement, popular for its bright sound.
Yuan
A serene Chinese name suggesting grace and a sense of origin or completeness.
Yumi
A sweet Korean name meaning beauty, popular in South Korea for its soft, charming sound.
Yael
A short, modern Israeli name shared widely, rooted in the Hebrew mountain goat symbolizing surefootedness.