Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Yanira
GirlSpanish· “modern Spanish name, uncertain origin”
- Meaning
- modern Spanish name, uncertain origin (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Spanish
- Pronunciation
- yah-NEE-rah
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #5,232
- US babies 2025
- 25
- Best rank
- #1,349 (1989)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Yanira
Yanira is often said to mean “modern Spanish name, uncertain origin”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish roots.
Yanira is a modern Spanish name whose origin is uncertain. It is sometimes linked to Ianira, one of the Nereids in Greek mythology, who were sea nymphs, though whether the modern name comes from that source is not clear. It is used in Latin America, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean. It is said yah-NEE-rah. Yanina and Janira are related forms. Yani and Nira are possible short forms. If the Greek connection holds, Ianira appears in Homer's list of the Nereids in the Iliad.
Popularity over time
Yanira first appears in US Social Security records in 1964. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,349 in 1989, and the most babies received it in 1993, when 123 were named Yanira. In 2025, 25 babies were named Yanira, and it ranked #5,232 nationally. That is 25% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,501 in 1980, #2,257 in 2000, #3,407 in 2010, and #5,232 in 2025. Of the 3,309 US girls named Yanira since records began, 28% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 807 babies. Since 2010, 487 more have been named Yanira.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aime, Briona, Kimberlyn, Rebecka, and Keosha.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Yanira ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #3078 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Yanira is usually pronounced yah-NEE-rah, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with Y and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Yanira
A few middle names that flow with Yanira: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Yanira
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Lists that include Yanira
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yanira mean?
Yanira is often said to mean “modern Spanish name, uncertain origin”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Spanish roots.
What is the origin of the name Yanira?
Yanira has Spanish roots. Yanira is a modern Spanish name whose origin is uncertain.
Is Yanira a popular name?
Not especially. Yanira ranked #5,232 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Yanira a boy or girl name?
Yanira is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Yanira?
Yanira is usually pronounced yah-NEE-rah. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings