101 Girl Names That Start With Y: Rare & Pretty

Y is the initial almost nobody reaches for, and that is exactly its charm. A name like Yara, Yolanda, or Yasmine lands softly on the ear yet stands out on a class roster, which makes it a quiet way to give your daughter something rare without straying into hard-to-say territory.

This list gathers 101 girl names that start with Y, pulled from many corners of the world: Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, Spanish, and beyond. You will find the meaning behind each one, so you can weigh not just how a name sounds but what it carries.

Scroll through and see which Y name feels like it was waiting for her.

101 Unique Girl Names That Start With Y

Explore this complete list of special girl names that start with the letter Y:

1. Yaara: A lyrical Hebrew variant of Yara, Yaara means honeycomb and could not be sweeter for a baby girl.
2. Yachin: Meaning God will establish, Yachin is a solid choice among biblical names for girls and shares its root with a pillar of Solomon’s Temple.
3. Yachna: This feminine form of Yachin also means established by God and carries a quiet, old-world strength.
4. Yadira: Widely loved across Mexico, this Arabic-rooted name translates to worthy and pairs a gentle sound with real meaning.
5. Yaeko: This Japanese girl’s name blends yae, meaning many layers or petals, with ko for child.
6. Yael: Named for the biblical heroine who felled a warlord, this Hebrew name means ibex or mountain goat and suits a bold girl.
7. Yaelle: A softer French-influenced spelling of Yael, Yaelle keeps the same sure-footed mountain goat meaning.
8. Yaen: This rare Hebrew name means ostrich and joins a small family of Hebrew names drawn from the animal world.
9. Yaffa: Meaning beautiful, Yaffa echoes the ancient port of Jaffa and fits right in among Hebrew girl names.
10. Yahaira: This rare Spanish name is usually read as shining light and stays a distinctive pick in the English-speaking world.
11. Yaiza: Borrowed from a sunlit town in Lanzarote, Spain, Yaiza doubles as a memorable place-name for a baby girl.
12. Yajaira: A spelling variant of Yahaira, this name is linked to the meaning clear as day in some Native American traditions.
13. Yale: Better known as the Ivy League school, this unisex Welsh name comes from a word for fertile upland or moor.
14. Yami: In Hindu tradition, Yami is the twin sister of Yama and a goddess linked to the sacred Yamuna River.
15. Yamila: A Latin American form of the Arabic Jamila, Yamila simply means beautiful.
16. Yamileth: Blending Arabic and Spanish roots, Yamileth means beautiful and stays a favorite across Central America.
17. Yamini: This Hindi girl’s name means night, evoking a sky full of stars.
18. Yamuna: Named for the sacred river winding through northern India, Yamuna carries a serene, flowing quality.
19. Yan: This classic Chinese name element can mean beautiful or swallow, depending on the character.
20. Yana: A Slavic short form of Johanna, Yana means God is gracious and shines among 4-letter names for girls.
21. Yancy: This gender-neutral name is often traced to a Native American rendering of English, the same root behind Yankee.
22. Yandra: A Cuban short form of Alejandra, Yandra means defender of mankind.
23. Yanet: A Spanish form of Janet, itself a pet form of Jane, Yanet means God is gracious.
24. Yaneth: This Hispanic variant of Janet softens the sound while keeping the God is gracious meaning.
25. Yang: This Chinese surname and given name can mean willow or poplar, and also the bright, active principle of yin and yang.
26. Yanina: An ultra-feminine elaboration of Yana, Yanina also works as a Slavic cousin of Janine.
27. Yanira: This romantic Spanish name, read as gift of God, echoes Ianeira, a sea nymph of Greek myth.
28. Yanis: A Greek form of John, Yanis is unisex and means God is gracious.
29. Yanka: This five-letter Slavic girl’s name shares its roots with Joan and Jane.
30. Yannick: Of Breton and French origin, Yannick is a pet form of Yann, or John, meaning God is gracious.
31. Yara: Carried by actress Yara Shahidi, this Arabic name means small butterfly and has climbed in popularity worldwide.
32. Yara: In Brazilian Tupi folklore this same spelling belongs to Iara, a river siren, and means lady of the water.
33. Yarden: The Hebrew name for the Jordan River, Yarden is unisex and means to flow down or descend.
34. Yardena: The feminine form of Yarden, Yardena also draws on the Jordan River for a flowing, graceful feel.
35. Yaretzi: A Nahuatl name from the Aztec world, Yaretzi means you will always be loved and has become a favorite across the Americas.
36. Yarielis: A modern Latin American blend name, Yarielis is especially popular for girls born in Puerto Rico.
37. Yaritza: A sweet Spanish name linked to Yara, Yaritza carries the same small butterfly charm.
38. Yarona: This joyful Hebrew name means she will sing or shout for joy, ideal for a much-celebrated baby.
39. Yaroslava: The feminine form of the Slavic Yaroslav, Yaroslava blends yaro, meaning fierce, with slava for glory.
40. Yasaman: The Persian original behind Jasmine, Yasaman names the fragrant white flower itself.
41. Yasmina: A lush Arabic form of Jasmine, Yasmina names the sweet-smelling flower.
42. Yasmine: Also spelled Yasmeen, this Arabic girl name means jasmine flower and stays a global favorite.
43. Yehudit: The Hebrew form of Judith, Yehudit means woman of Judea and honors the biblical heroine who saved her people.
44. Yelena: A Russian form of Helen, Yelena means shining light and belongs to Marvel’s Yelena Belova.
45. Yellow: A bold, sunny color name, Yellow suits a golden-haired or bright-spirited girl.
46. Yelyzaveta: The Ukrainian form of Elizabeth, Yelyzaveta means God is my oath.
47. Yemima: The Hebrew form of Jemima, Yemima means dove and was the name of Job’s beautiful daughter.
48. Yên: A serene Vietnamese name, Yen means peaceful or calm.
49. Yenifer: A Spanish respelling of Jennifer, Yenifer traces back to the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, meaning fair and smooth.
50. Yenny: A playful short form of Yenifer, Yenny is a fresh spin on Jenny.
51. Yeong: This Korean name element can mean flower petal, brave, or prosperous, depending on the hanja.
52. Yesenia: Popularized by a 1970s Mexican telenovela, Yesenia is thought to refer to a flowering plant.
53. Yéssica: A Spanish form of Jessica, a name Shakespeare coined, Yessica is often linked to the meaning God beholds.
54. Yeti: A whimsical name borrowed from the legendary Himalayan snow creature, Yeti is truly one of a kind.
55. Yeva: The Armenian and Slavic form of Eve, Yeva means life.
56. Yevdokiya: One of the longest Y names for girls, this Russian form of Eudocia means of good repute or good judgment.
57. Yevgeniya: The Russian feminine form of Eugene, Yevgeniya means well-born or noble.
58. Yindi: This Indigenous Australian name is often given the meaning sun and remains wonderfully rare.
59. Ylenia: An Italian name made famous by singer Al Bano’s daughter, Ylenia is often read as a form of Helen, shining light.
60. Yllita: Derived from the Albanian word yll, meaning star, Yllita shines as a rare celestial pick.
61. Ylva: A fierce Viking name, Ylva means she-wolf in Old Norse.
62. Yoana: A Spanish and Bulgarian form of Joanna, Yoana means God is gracious.
63. Yocheved: The Hebrew name of Moses’ mother, Yocheved means God is glory.
64. Yoko: Forever tied to artist Yoko Ono, this Japanese name can mean child of light or child of the ocean.
65. Yolanda: Borne by gospel star Yolanda Adams, this Spanish classic comes from a French name for the violet flower.
66. Yolande: The medieval French form of Yolanda, Yolande graced several European queens and duchesses.
67. Yolo: A modern coinage from the phrase you only live once, Yolo is bold, brief, and unmistakably current.
68. Yona: Also spelled Yonah, this unisex Hebrew name means dove, the same bird linked to the prophet Jonah.
69. Yong: A Chinese and Korean name element, Yong can mean brave, eternal, or dragon.
70. Yonina: A feminine form of Yonah, Yonina carries the gentle Hebrew meaning of dove.
71. Yonit: From the same Hebrew root as Jonah, Yonit means little dove.
72. Yoselin: A Spanish form of Jocelyn, Yoselin traces back to a medieval Germanic tribe, the Gauts.
73. Yoshie: This Japanese name pairs yoshi, meaning good or virtuous, with e for a blessing or branch.
74. Yrsa: An Old Norse name from Scandinavian saga, Yrsa is often read as she-bear and belonged to a legendary queen.
75. Ysabel: A romantic medieval Spanish form of Isabel, Ysabel means God is my oath.
76. Ysabella: An old Spanish spelling of Isabella, Ysabella lends a vintage flourish to a modern favorite.
77. Yseult: The tragic heroine of the Tristan legend, this old-fashioned name means fair one.
78. Yue: Pronounced yweh, this Chinese name element means moon.
79. Yuki: A unisex Japanese name, Yuki can mean snow or happiness, perfect for a winter or joyful baby.
80. Yukiko: Combining yuki, or snow, with ko for child, Yukiko means snow child.
81. Yulia: A Slavic form of Julia, Yulia carries the youthful spirit of the Roman Julius.
82. Yuliana: An international form of Juliana, Yuliana links back to the Roman family name Julius.
83. Yuliya: The Ukrainian and Russian form of Julia, Yuliya shares its youthful, summery roots.
84. Yume: A poetic Japanese name meaning dream, Yume suits a long-wished-for baby.
85. Yumi: This Japanese name can mean archery bow or beauty, depending on the characters chosen.
86. Yumiko: Adding ko, or child, to Yumi, Yumiko reads as child of beauty or archery.
87. Yuna: Carried by figure skater Kim Yuna, this short name means gentle or graceful in Korean.
88. Yunuen: A Purepecha name from Mexico, Yunuen belongs to a small island on Lake Patzcuaro.
89. Yurena: A Spanish girl’s name from the Canary Islands, Yurena has roots in old Guanche legend.
90. Yuri: A gender-neutral Slavic form of George, Yuri means earthworker and is shared with cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
91. Yuri: In Japanese, this same spelling means lily, a fresh and flowery choice for a girl.
92. Yusra: An Arabic name meaning ease or prosperity, Yusra appears in the Quran and belongs to Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini.
93. Yuval: A unisex Hebrew name, Yuval means stream and names the biblical father of music.
94. Yuzu: Named for the tart East Asian citrus, Yuzu is a zesty, nature-inspired pick.
95. Yuzuki: This Japanese name blends yu, for gentleness, with zuki for moon.
96. Yvaine: Coined for the star-maiden in the novel and film Stardust, Yvaine means evening star.
97. Yvanna: A feminine form of Ivan, Yvanna means God is gracious.
98. Yves: Usually a French boy’s name meaning yew tree, Yves lends a chic, unisex edge to a girl.
99. Yvette: A French pet form of Yves, Yvette means little yew tree and carries vintage charm.
100. Yvonne: A French girl’s name from the same yew-tree root as Yves, Yvonne feels both earthy and elegant.
101. Yzma: A playful name lifted from the scheming villain of Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove, Yzma is pure fun.

Y Names for Girls FAQs

What Are Some Popular Girl Names With Y?

Yasmin is the most popular girl name that starts with Y, along with its variants Yasmeen and Yasmina. Other widely used picks include Yara, Yuri, Yolanda, and Yulia, names that feel familiar across many languages.

What Are Some Unique Girl Names That Start With Y?

Yara, Yaretzi, and Yuliana are some of the most beautiful and unique girl names starting with Y. They offer a fresh alternative to common names while keeping a soft, feminine sound.

Are There Any Biblical Girl Names Starting With Y?

Yes, Yael and Yocheved are the standout biblical choices. Yael means mountain goat in Hebrew, while Yocheved translates to God is glory.

What Are Some Cute Four-Letter Y Names for Girls?

Yuki, Yuna, Yumi, and Yana are cute four-letter Y names for girls. Each one is short, easy to spell, and simple to pronounce across multiple languages.

Do Any Y Names Mean Moon?

Yue is a Chinese name element that means moon. It is pronounced like UEH and gives your baby a lovely celestial connection.

What Are Some Strong Girl Names That Start With Y?

Ylva and Yrsa are strong girl names with Viking roots. Ylva means she-wolf, and Yrsa means wild or she-bear, both bold and fierce choices.

How Do You Pronounce the Name Yseult?

Yseult is pronounced EE-solt or ih-ZOHLT, depending on your regional dialect. It is an old-fashioned Irish name.

What Are Some Spanish Girl Names That Start With Y?

Yaretzi, Yuliana, Yolanda, and Yamileth are popular Spanish girl names that start with Y. Yaretzi has Nahuatl roots and Yolanda means violet, giving each a warm, romantic feel.