Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Yuki
UnisexJapanese· “snow, or happiness”
- Meaning
- snow, or happiness
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- YOO-kee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,399
- US babies 2025
- 24
- Best rank
- #3,488 (2004)
- Peak year
- 2004
Meaning and origin of Yuki
Yuki is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “snow, or happiness”.
Yuki is a Japanese name used for both boys and girls. It can be written with several kanji, and its meaning depends on which characters are chosen; common readings include snow, happiness and courage. Because of this, no single meaning applies to every Yuki. It is said YOO-kee. The name also forms the base of longer names such as Yukiko for girls and Yukio for boys, as in the novelist Yukio Mishima. Yuki is short, easy to say in English, and familiar through Japanese film and anime.
Popularity over time
Yuki first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #3,488 in 2004, the same year it reached its highest count of 43 babies. In 2025, 24 babies were named Yuki, and it ranked #5,399 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,952 in 1920, #8,174 in 1980, #4,973 in 2000, #4,604 in 2010, and #5,399 in 2025. Of the 1,067 US girls named Yuki since records began, 26% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 271 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Avry, Breeze, Tamari, Mel, and Tully.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Yuki ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2087 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Yuki is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 67% of US babies named Yuki were girls and 33% were boys.
Yuki is usually pronounced YOO-kee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with Y and ends in “-ki”.
Middle names for Yuki
A few middle names that flow with Yuki: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Yuki
Similar names
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Lists that include Yuki
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yuki mean?
Yuki is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “snow, or happiness”.
What is the origin of the name Yuki?
Yuki has Japanese roots. Yuki is a Japanese name used for both boys and girls.
Is Yuki a popular name?
Not especially. Yuki ranked #5,399 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Yuki a boy or girl name?
Yuki is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 67% of US babies named Yuki were girls and 33% were boys.
How do you pronounce Yuki?
Yuki is usually pronounced YOO-kee. 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