Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Yves
BoyFrench, Germanic· “yew”
- Meaning
- yew
- Origin
- French, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- EEV
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #5,598
- US babies 2025
- 17
- Best rank
- #1,692 (1981)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Yves
Yves is a French and Germanic name that means “yew”.
Yves is a French name from the Germanic element iv, yew, the wood used for bows. It was borne by Saint Ivo of Kermartin, a thirteenth-century priest and lawyer who is the patron saint of Brittany and of lawyers, known in French as Saint Yves. The name is common in France, Belgium and Quebec, and it is familiar worldwide through the designer Yves Saint Laurent and the singer and actor Yves Montand. It is said EEV, as one syllable. English forms include Ivo and Ives, and the feminine is Yvette or Yvonne.
Other spellings with the same sound: Eve.
Popularity over time
Yves first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,692 in 1981, and the most babies received it in 1985, when 37 were named Yves. In 2025, 17 babies were named Yves, and it ranked #5,598 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,679 in 1950, #2,056 in 1980, #4,384 in 2000, #10,740 in 2010, and #5,598 in 2025. Of the 1,202 US boys named Yves since records began, 22% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 178 babies. Since 2010, 227 more have been named Yves.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jerard, Antwoine, Darnel, Shain, and Bao.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Yves ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2460 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 88% of US babies named Yves over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Yves is usually pronounced EEV, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with Y and ends in “-es”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Eve.
Middle names for Yves
A few middle names that flow with Yves: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Yves
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Lists that include Yves
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yves mean?
Yves is a French and Germanic name that means “yew”.
What is the origin of the name Yves?
Yves has French and Germanic roots. Yves is a French name from the Germanic element iv, yew, the wood used for bows.
Is Yves a popular name?
Not especially. Yves ranked #5,598 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Yves a boy or girl name?
Yves is mainly a boy's name. About 88% of US babies named Yves over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Yves?
Yves is usually pronounced EEV. 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