Yuri Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YOO-ree /juːˈriː/
Origin: Japanese; Russian
Meaning: Japanese: lily; Russian: farmer
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yuri has its roots in the Hebrew name יְהוּרָה (Yehurah), which means 'to be exalted' or 'to be raised up.' This name was adapted into Greek as Γεωργία (Geōrgía), which translates to 'farmer' or 'earthworker.' The Greek form later influenced the Latin name Georgius, which became popular in various forms across Europe. The name made its way into Old French as Georges and subsequently into English as George, with Yuri emerging as a variant in Slavic languages, particularly in Russian, where it is associated with the name Георгий (Georgiy).
The transition into English occurred through cultural exchanges and translations, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries when names from Slavic languages gained recognition in Western contexts. Historically, the name Yuri is linked to Saint George, a prominent Christian martyr from the 3rd century, who is celebrated for his legendary dragon-slaying exploits.
His feast day, April 23, became a significant date in the Christian calendar, further popularizing the name across various cultures. In Russia, Yuri is associated with several historical figures, including Yuri Dolgoruky, a 12th-century prince credited with founding Moscow.
The name's enduring presence in Russian history and culture is marked by its association with nobility and valor. Culturally, Yuri carries connotations of bravery and heroism, largely due to its association with Saint George and the dragon-slaying legend.
In Slavic folklore, the name is often linked to themes of protection and strength. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Yura or Yurka have emerged, reflecting affection and familiarity.
The name's resonance in literature and art, particularly in Russian works, has contributed to its lasting significance, symbolizing not only personal identity but also cultural heritage.
Famous people named Yuri
In this section, you will find notable people named Yuri. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yuri who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yuri who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Yuri Gagarin is a cosmonaut best known for being the first human to travel into space.
Yuri Slezkine is a historian best known for The House of Government, The Jewish Century, and Arctic Mirrors.
Yuri Temirkanov is a conductor best known for his work with the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Yuri Milner is a venture capitalist best known for founding DST Global and his investments in Facebook and Alibaba.
Yuri Lowenthal is a voice actor best known for voicing characters in Ben 10, Naruto, and Spider-Man.
Yuri Kochiyama is an activist best known for her work in civil rights and her friendship with Malcolm X.
Yuri Gagarin is a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut best known for his historic flight aboard Vostok 1.
Fictional characters named Yuri
The following list of fictional characters named Yuri is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Yuri is a fictional character from the video game series Danganronpa. He is a talented student known for his skills in the field of literature and his complex personality.
Yuri is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal. He is a skilled duelist who plays a significant role in the series' overarching conflict.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yuri, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Yuri. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yuri was first seen in the United States in 1919.
Yuri has ranked as high as #1213 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Yuri has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yuri is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yuri was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yuri (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 13 | |
| CA | 11 | |
| NC | 10 | |
| NY | 10 | |
| IL | 10 | |
| MD | 8 | |
| FL | 8 | |
| GA | 8 | |
| LA | 5 | |
| AL | 5 | |
| DC | 5 | |
| PA | 5 | |
| VA | 5 | |
| IN | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yuri.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 146 |
| 2023 | 154 |
| 2022 | 180 |
| 2021 | 123 |
| 2020 | 132 |
| 2019 | 119 |
| 2018 | 79 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2016 | 92 |
| 2015 | 77 |
| 2014 | 57 |
| 2013 | 75 |
| 2012 | 61 |
| 2011 | 68 |
| 2010 | 60 |
| 2009 | 80 |
| 2008 | 85 |
| 2007 | 77 |
| 2006 | 81 |
| 2005 | 44 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2003 | 45 |
| 2002 | 50 |
| 2001 | 48 |
| 2000 | 49 |
| 1999 | 35 |
| 1998 | 45 |
| 1997 | 51 |
| 1996 | 40 |
| 1995 | 53 |
| 1994 | 52 |
| 1993 | 62 |
| 1992 | 67 |
| 1991 | 98 |
| 1990 | 103 |
| 1989 | 106 |
| 1988 | 98 |
| 1987 | 108 |
| 1986 | 85 |
| 1985 | 68 |
| 1984 | 68 |
| 1983 | 76 |
| 1982 | 76 |
| 1981 | 51 |
| 1980 | 13 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1975 | 7 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1970 | 11 |
| 1969 | 10 |
| 1968 | 8 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1928 | 7 |
| 1926 | 6 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1923 | 12 |
| 1922 | 7 |
| 1921 | 6 |
| 1920 | 10 |
| 1919 | 5 |