This list covers 18 French boy names starting with the letter Y, from “Yves” to “Yorick.” Most trace back to Breton roots, biblical origins, or French spellings of names from other languages, and parents use them as first names for newborn boys across France and French-speaking regions today.

French boy names are the given names French parents choose to identify and address their sons, often reflecting regional heritage, religious tradition, or current naming trends. Many names on this list, like Yann and Yannick, come from Brittany and have spread nationwide since the mid-20th century. One notable example is Yves, a name made famous worldwide by designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Description.

Name: the given first name itself, shown in its standard French spelling so you can see exactly how it’s written.

Pronunciation: a simple phonetic guide showing you how to say each name out loud, with stressed syllables in capital letters.

Meaning: the original meaning or linguistic root behind the name, so you understand where it comes from and what it once signified.

Description: background on the name’s history, popularity, and cultural context, helping you decide if it fits the style you want for a child.

French boy names

NamePronunciationMeaning
Yveseev“Yew tree”
Yvonee-VON“Yew”
Yvanee-VAHN“God is gracious”
Yannyahn“God is gracious”
Yannickyah-NEEK“God is gracious”
Yanisyah-NEES“God is gracious”
Yohanyoh-AHN“God is gracious”
Yohannyoh-AHN“God is gracious”
Yoanyoh-AHN“God is gracious”
Yoannyoh-AHN“God is gracious”
Ylanee-LAHNModern coinage
Ylannee-LAHNModern coinage
YouriYOO-ree“Farmer”
Yacineyah-SEEN“Rich” or from the Quranic letters “Ya-Sin”
Youssefyoo-SEF“God will increase”
Yassineyah-SEEN“Rich” or “wealthy”
Yvainee-VENLegendary knight’s name
Yorickyoh-REEK“Farmer”

Descriptions

Yves
A classic French name derived from the Germanic word for yew wood, historically linked to archery bows. Popular through the 20th century and still used today, notably borne by designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Yvon
A Breton variant of Yves, common in Brittany. It shares the same root meaning tied to the yew tree and carries a traditional, regional French flavor.
Yvan
The French spelling of Ivan, itself a Slavic form of John. It’s a soft, familiar name used across French-speaking countries.
Yann
The Breton form of Jean (John), short and strong-sounding. Widely used throughout France, not just in Brittany, since the mid-20th century.
Yannick
A Breton diminutive of Yann, gaining national popularity in France from the 1960s onward thanks to its friendly, distinctive sound.
Yanis
A modern French favorite since the 1990s, related to Yann and also echoing the Greek name Ioannis. Often spelled Yanis or Yannis.
Yohan
A French variant of Johan/John that rose in popularity in the late 20th century, valued for its clean, international sound.
Yohann
An alternate spelling of Yohan, equally common in French birth registries and carrying the same biblical root meaning.
Yoan
Another popular French spelling variant of Yohan, frequently chosen in the 1980s and 1990s.
Yoann
A further spelling variation of Yoan/Yohan, reflecting the flexible way French parents adapt John-based names.
Ylan
A contemporary French first name that became fashionable in the 2000s and 2010s, prized for its soft, modern sound rather than a traditional etymology.
Ylann
A stylistic variant spelling of Ylan, part of the wave of short, vowel-rich modern French boy names.
Youri
The French form of the Russian name Yuri, introduced to France partly through admiration for cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Used since the 1960s.
Yacine
A name of Arabic origin that is extremely common among French families of North African heritage, making it a familiar part of the modern French naming landscape.
Youssef
The French-Arabic form of Joseph, widely used in France, especially within Maghrebi-French communities.
Yassine
A variant of Yacine with Arabic roots, commonly given to boys in French-speaking families of North African descent.
Yvain
The hero of a 12th-century French Arthurian romance by Chrétien de Troyes, “Yvain, the Knight of the Lion.” Occasionally used as a literary-inspired first name in France.
Yorick
A name of Dutch/Scandinavian origin, familiar from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” that sees occasional use in France for its literary and distinctive sound.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.