150+ Top Surnames Or Last Names That Start With Y

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Last names that start with Y are found all over the world. In Asian countries including Japan, China, Indian, and Korea, Y-surnames are used liberally. Surnames like Yamaha, Yui, Yeng, and Yan are common in these countries. Moreover, last names starting with Y are regularly used in Latin America and Hispanic countries. Many times, you may come across variants of the same surnames starting with E or I, like Ybarra and Yglesias.

Even in English-speaking countries, last names starting with Y are quite common like Young and York. Usually, these names are patronymics or habitational. However, they may also be Biblical, occupational, or even derived from nicknames. From the short Ya to the long Yerbabuena, these surnames with Y have managed to span continents and cultures. It can be said that they are a reflection of a rich history and colorful human experiences.

In This Article

Last Names That Start With Y

Last names that start with Y are unique due to their relatively rare usage. They make a family stand out for their unique spellings.

Japanese Last Names That Start With Y

Last names with Y are commonly used in Japan. While most of these names are topographical or habitational, other names are derived from nature.

1. Ya

A Japanese surname that is derived from the same word, Ya means ‘night.’

2. Yabe

Derived from the Japanese characters ya and be, Yabe means ‘arrow’ and ‘region.’ It is pronounced as YAH-BEH.

3. Yabuki

Yabuki is a rare Japanese surname that means ‘arrow’ and ‘to blow.’ It is also written as Tanibuki, Yabukame, and Yabugame.

4. Yabusaki

A habitational name that is derived from the characters ya, which means ‘eight,’ ‘bu, which is a unit of measurement, and saki, which means ‘cape’ or ‘peninsula.’

5. Yado

Yado could have several meanings such as ‘eight children,’ ‘valley,’ ‘ancient,’ ‘arrow,’ and ‘child.’ It could also be a variant of Yako.

6. Yagi

Pronounced as both YA-GEE and YA-GYEE, this surname could have two meanings. It could be read as Yanagi, meaning ‘willow,’ or it could be derived from the characters ya, meaning ‘eight,’ and ki, meaning ‘tree’ or ‘wood.’

7. Yagihashi

Yagihashi means ‘willow’ and ‘bridge.’ It may be considered a topographical surname.

8. Yagino

A variant of Yanagino and a topographical surname, Yagino is derived from the characters ya, gi, and no, which mean ‘eight,’ ‘tree,’ and ‘field,’ respectively.

9. Yaginuma

Derived from the Japanese characters yagi and numa, this surname means ‘willow’ and ‘swamp.’ It is considered a topographical surname.

10. Yahaba

Yahaba is a habitational name derived from the village of the same name in Shiwa district in present-day Iwate and Akita. It is also written as Yahaha.

11. Yajima

Pronounced as YA-ZHEE-MA, this surname means ‘arrow’ or ‘valley’ combined with ‘island.’ It is considered to be a topographic surname.

12. Yajin

Yajin is one of the rarely used Japanese last names that starts with Y. It is derived from the characters ya, which means ‘night’ or ‘evening,’ and jin, which means ‘battle formation’ or ‘camp.’

13. Yakumo

Pronounced as YAA-KUU-MO and also used as a first name, Yakumo’s characters mean ‘eight,’ ‘question mark’ or ‘expert,’ and ‘cloud.’

14. Yakushiji

Yakushiji is a habitational name from a village in the district of Kawachi in present-day Tochigi. It is also spelled as Yanshiji, Yakushigami, and Yakushinji.

15. Yamabe

Another topographic name, Yamabe means ‘mountain’ and ‘part’ or ‘section.’ It is pronounced as YA-MA-BEH.

16. Yamabi

Pronounced as YA-MA-BYEE and alternatively written as Yamahi and Yamaka, Yamabi is an honorific surname. It means ‘mountain’ and ‘fire’ and was given to the leader of the Morioka Domain who was warmed by the residents of the mountainous area using flint to start a fire.

17. Yamabushi

Yama means ‘mountain’ or ‘hill’ and bushi means ‘warrior’ or ‘samurai,’ typically given to a warrior from the mountains. Yamabushi is an occupational surname.

18. Yamada

Yamada means ‘mountain rice field’ and is considered a topographic name. It is the 12th most common Japanese surname. Isuzu Yamada is one of the most well-known Japanese actresses of all time and is a notable bearer of this surname.

19. Yamadera

A topographic surname, Yamadera means ‘mountain temple’ or ‘hill temple.’

20. Yamagishi

Another surname derived from the character yama, Yamagishi means ‘mountain bank’ or ‘mountain shore.’ It is a topographic surname.

21. Yamaguchi

Pronounced as YA-MA-GOO-CHEE, this surname means ‘mountain entrance.’ It is a topographic surname. Kristi Yamaguchi, an American figure skater, is a famous person with this surname. She is the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating.

22. Yamaha

Surprisingly, Yamaha is more commonly found in Brazil than in Japan. It means ‘mountain’ and ‘leaf.’ One of the most well-known people with this name is Torakusu Yamaha, the founder of the Yamaha Corporation.

23. Yamamori

Also written as Moriyama, this surname is topographic. It means ‘mountain’ and ‘forest.’

24. Yamamoto

Yamamoto is a topographic name given to a person who lives at ‘the foot or base of the mountain.’ It is one of the most common surnames in Japan and is mostly found in Osaka (1) (2). Award-winning Japanese actress Fujiko Yamamoto is a notable person with this surname. She is also considered as one of the most beautiful women in Japan.

25. Yamane

Yamane means ‘mountain root.’ It is a topographic surname with many occurrences in the Tokyo-Saitama prefectures in the present day.

26. Yamasaki

A variant of Yamazaki, this surname means ‘mountain peninsula’ or ‘mountain promontory.’ Minoru Yamasaki is a prominent person with this surname. He was a Japanese-American architect, best known for designing the World Trade Center in New York.

27. Yamasato

Another surname derived from a landform, Yamasato means ‘mountain village county,’ among several other meanings. Ryota Yamasato, a Japanese comedian and TV and radio personality, is a popular bearer of this surname. He is often referred to as Yama-chan.

28. Yamashita

Yamashita is a topographic surname and may be pronounced either as YA-MA-SHEE-TA or YA-MASH-TA. It means ‘under the mountain’ or ‘below the mountain.’

29. Yamato

Yamato is derived from the same given name and means ‘mountain’ or ‘great harmony.’ Alternatively, Yamato could be a variant reading of Nihon, which means ‘Japan.’

30. Yamauchi

Another surname derived from a landform, Yamauchi means ‘inside the mountain.’

31. Yanagida

Yanagida means ‘willow rice field.’ One of the most popular people with this name is Hideaki Yanagida, a Japanese wrestler. He is known for winning gold at the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Yanagida is a Japanese last name with Y

Image: Momjunction Design Team

32. Yanagihara

Yanagihara means ‘willow field’ or ‘willow plain.’ Hanya Yanagihara is an American author and travel writer, known for her bestselling novel A Little Life which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

33. Yanagisawa

Another surname that is derived from yanagi, which means ‘willow,’ Yanagisawa is a topographic surname that means ‘willow marsh.’

34. Yano

Yano means ‘arrow field.’ It is a topographic surname.

35. Yaoyorozu

Yaoyorozu is a rare Japanese surname. Its characters mean ‘eight,’ ‘one hundred,’ and ‘ten thousand.’

36. Yasuda

Pronounced as YA-SOO-DA, this surname is also topographic. Yasu means ‘peace’ and ‘quiet’ or ‘protect’ and ‘maintain,’ while ta means ‘field’ or ‘rice paddy.’

37. Yasue

Yasue is pronounced as YA-SOO-EH and means ‘peace’ and ‘bay.’

38. Yasuki

Also used as a first name for boys, Yasuki means ‘relaxing tree.’

39. Yasunami

Yasu means ‘peace’ and nami means ‘wave’ in Japanese. Yasunami means ‘calm wave’ and has other forms such as Aba and Aha.

40. Yasutomi

Also written as Tomiyasu, this surname means ‘peaceful wealth.’ It may be a topographic name.

41. Yasuyama

A topographic name for a person living near a mountain, Yasuyama means ‘peaceful mountain.’

42. Yatsuyama

Interestingly, Yatsuyama is a variant reading of Hachiyama and means ‘eight mountains.’

43. Yokobe

Pronounced as YO-KO-BEH, this surname is topographic. It means ‘beside a section’ or ‘next to a part.’

44. Yokohama

Yokohama means ‘beside the beach’ or ‘horizontal beach.’ It is also the name of the second-most populous city in Japan, which is also the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture.

45. Yokohori

Also spelled as Yokobori, Yokohori means ‘beside the moat’ or ‘next to the canal.’

46. Yokoi

Yokoi means ‘beside the well’ or ‘next to the mine shaft.’ It is a topographic surname pronounced as YO-KO-EE.

47. Yokomizo

Another topographic surname, Yokomizo means ‘beside the groove’ or ‘beside the ditch.’ One of the most well-known bearers of this name is Seishi Yokomizo, a Japanese mystery novelist. He is known for creating the fictional detective Kosuke Kindaichi.

48. Yokomori

A topographic surname, Yokomori means ‘next to the forest.’

49. Yokosawa

Yoko means ‘beside’ or ‘next to,’ while sawa means ‘marsh.’ Yokosawa is a topographic name for a person who lived near a marsh.

50. Yokoshima

Yokoshima is made of the characters yoko, meaning ‘side,’ ‘beside,’ or ‘next to,’ and shima, meaning ‘island.’ It is a topographic name for a person who lives near an island.

51. Yokota

Yokota means ‘beside the rice field.’ Jun’ya Yokota was a well-known Japanese science fiction writer and a history researcher. He also won multiple awards for his work. Another popular bearer of this surname was 16th-century samurai Yokota Takatoshi. He was one of the Twenty-Four Generals of Takeda Shingen in the Sengoku period.

52. Yokoya

Yokoya is a variant of Yokotani that means ‘next to the valley.’

53. Yokoyama

Yokoyama means ‘beside the mountain.’ Alternatively, it could be a combination of Yoko, meaning ‘light,’ ‘sun,’ ‘male,’ ‘ocean,’ and ‘child,’ and Yama, meaning ‘mountain.’

Yokoyama is a last name starting with Y

Image: Momjunction Design Team

54. Yomohiro

Pronounced as YO-MO-KHEE-RO, this surname is rarely used in Japan. It means ‘four directions’ and ‘extension.’

55. Yonaga

Meaning ‘a long night,’ Yonaga is one of the Japanese last names derived from natural elements.

56. Yonao

Yo means ‘to bestow’ or ‘gift,’ while nao means ‘still.’ Yonao is one of the last names derived from the same first name.

57. Yoneda

Yoneda could mean ‘many rice fields’ or simply ‘rice field.’ It is a topographic surname.

58. Yonekura

Another surname derived from the Japanese word yone, this surname means ‘rice granary’ or ‘rice storehouse.’

59. Yoruno

Yoru means ‘night’ in Japanese. In Yoruno, it is combined with no, which means ‘field’ or ‘wilderness.’

60. Yoshi

Pronounced as YO-SHEE, this surname is derived from the same Japanese word that means ‘good luck’ or ‘fortune.’

61. Yoshida

Yoshida is derived from the Japanese word yoshi, meaning ‘good luck,’ and ta, meaning ‘field’ or ‘rice paddy.’ It is again a topographic name.

protip_icon Did you know?
As rice plays an important role in Japanese culture, many surnames include ‘rice paddy.’ Apart from Yoshida, some of the other common ones are Tanaka and Hirata.

62. Yoshinaga

Yoshinaga means ‘good luck’ and ‘perpetual.’ It could have originated as a nickname for a person who always found good returns.

63. Yoshino

Yoshino is composed of the elements yoshi, which means ‘good luck,’ and no, which means ‘field’ or ‘wilderness.’

64. Yoshioka

Pronounced as YO-SHEE-O-KA, this surname means ‘good luck’ and ‘hill.’ It could be possibly a topographic name for a person living near a hill of good luck.

65. Yuasa

Yuasa means ‘shallow hot spring.’ It is a topographic surname and is pronounced as YOO-A-SA.

66. Yube

A variant of Yumbe, Yube is pronounced as YOO-BEH. It is an occupational name meaning ‘bow’ or ‘archery’ and ‘division,’ and possibly given to an archer.

67. Yuge

Yuge is the variant of the Japanese surname Kekke. It could mean ‘attaining nirvana’ or ‘account settlement’ according to the characters used to write the name.

68. Yui

Pronounced as YOO-EE, the characters in this surname mean ‘reason’ and ‘well.’ It is also used as a first name for girls. Kimiya Yui and Kiyoo Yui are two famous people with this surname. While the former is a Japanese astronaut, the latter is a hurdler and a former Olympian.

69. Yūki

Yūki consists of the characters yū, which means ‘tie’ or ‘bind,’ and ki, which means ‘castle.’ Its variant is Yuuki.

70. Yukimori

Another Japanese surname that may be both topographical and nature-inspired, Yukimori means ‘snow forest.’

71. Yukimura

Yukimura means ‘snow town’ or ‘snow village.’ It is a toponymic given to a person from such a place. Izumi Yukimura is a popular Japanese singer and actress.

72. Yukiyama

Pronounced as YUU-KEE-YAA-MAH, this surname means ‘blessing,’ ‘snow,’ and ‘journey.’ Incidentally, it also means ‘snow mountain.’

73. Yuzuki

Yuzuki is a topographic surname. It means ‘grapefruit tree’ and may be given to a person who lives near such a tree or woods.

Discover more Japanese surnames.

Spanish Last Names That Start With Y

Spanish last names starting with Y are rooted in Spanish culture and history. They often have Basque origins, too.

74. Yagüe

Yagüe is a Spanish surname that is derived from Santi Yague, the Old Spanish word for Santiago. Interestingly, it is also a French surname.

75. Yanas

Yanas is alternatively spelled as Mañas in Spanish. It is derived from maña, which means ‘trick’ or ‘stratagem,’ and was a nickname for a skillful person.

76. Yáñez

Also written as Yanez in unaccented form, this surname is derived from the first name Juan or John. It means ‘God is gracious.’

protip_icon Trivia
Agustín Yáñez Delgadillo was a Mexican writer and politician. He was the governor of Jalisco and secretary of public education. He also wrote several books and received the Premio Nacional de las Letras as a member of Academia Mexicana de la Lengua. Al filo del agua (On the Edge of the Storm) is considered his most important work.

77. Yanza

A Spanish and Italian surname, Yanza means ‘dance’ and is possibly an occupational surname for a dancer.

78. Yarzagaray

Yarzagaray is an Aruban surname that has Basque origins. It is used mostly among the Spanish people in the Caribbean.

79. Yauri

A variant of Lauro, Yauri means laurel.’ It is used as a Spanish, Italian, and Finnish surname.

80. Ybarra

Ybarra is the variant of Ibarra. These habitational surnames are derived from the Basque word ibar, which means ‘meadow.’

81. Ycaza

The Spanish surname has Basque origins. It is the Castilianized form of Ikaza or Ikatza, which is a habitational name that denotes abundance.

82. Yebra

Yebra is a habitational surname derived from several places in León, Guadalajara, and Huesca. The place name is of pre-Roman origin.

83. Yepes

Another habitational name, Yepes is derived from the place of the same name in Toledo province. It was named Hippo or Hipona in pre-Roman times. The birth name of the Catholic saint John of the Cross was Juan de Yepes y Álvarez (3).

84. Yera

Yera is a habitational name derived from a place so named in Cantabria. This surname is mainly used in Cuba.

85. Yerba

A Spanish surname that means ‘willow,’ Yerba is also used as a Ukrainian surname, mainly among Jews.

86. Yero

Yero is a habitational name derived from the place so named in Cuenca province. It is also used as a West African surname.

87. Yeverino

Yeverino is derived from the first name Severino. It means ‘harsh’ or ‘austere’ and is also used as an Italian surname.

88. Yglesias

Yglesias is the Spanish variant of Iglesias. They are habitational surnames derived from the place of the same name in Burgos province. It is derived from the word iglesia, which means ‘church.’ The Yglesias family is a well-known family of writers and journalists. The family consists of writers Jose and his wife Helen and their sons, Rafael, a novelist, and Matthew, a journalist.

89. Yñiguez

Also spelled as Yniguez, this surname is a variant of Íñiguez. It means ‘son of Inigo’ and is used both in Spain and Latin American countries.

90. Yorba

Yorba is the variant of Jorba. It is a habitational surname of Catalan origin.

91. Yracheta

Yracheta is a Spanish surname with Basque origins. It is a habitational name and means ‘a place with ferns.’

Yracheta is a last name that starts with Y

Image: Momjunction Design Team

92. Yrigoyen

A rare Spanish surname, Yrigoyen is a habitational name derived from a place name in Gipuzkoa province.

93. Ysasi

Ysasi has Basque origins and is a habitational surname. It is derived from the name of a village in Biscay and means ‘river bush.’

94. Yslas

Yslas is the Spanish variant of Islas. It is a habitational surname from a place called Islas in Málaga and Ciudad Real. It could also be a topographic name meaning ‘from the islands.’

95. Ytuarte

With Basque origins, Ytuarte is a variant of Ituarte, which is a topographic name.

96. Yzaguirre

Yzaguirre also has Basque origins. It is the Castilianized form of Izagirre, which is a topographic name meaning ‘exposed to wind.’

Discover more Spanish surnames.

Chinese Last Names That Start With Y

Like Japanese last names, Chinese surnames, too, may have different meanings according to the characters used to write them. However, these last names with Y are usually topographic.

97. Yam

The Cantonese variant of Ren, Yam is also used as a Hebrew surname.

98. Yan

Yan could have several meanings including ‘strict,’ ‘gate,’ and ‘color.’ Incidentally, it is also used as the Russified version of Yang. Yan You was the founder of Xiao Zhu during the Zhou dynasty. He is the first recorded Yan in Chinese history.

99. Yang

Yang means ‘willow,’ ‘poplar,’ or ‘aspen.’ It is used as a toponymic surname.

100. Yanqi

Yanqi is pronounced as Yan-CWEE. It is a habitational name derived from the ancient kingdom of Karasahr.

101. Yao

Also written as Yau, this surname is derived from a nickname. It means ‘handsome’ or ‘elegant.’

102. Yap

Yap is a Chinese Hakka and Hokkien surname. It is the variant of Ye, which means ‘leaf.’

103. Yau

Yau could be a variant of Yao. Alternatively, it could be the Cantonese version of Qiu, which is a habitational name from a place named Yingqiu that existed in the Qing dynasty.

104. Yaw

The Cantonese variant of Qiu and a habitational surname, Yaw is also used as an Irish and English surname with different meanings.

105. Ye

Ye is derived from the Chinese word yè and means ‘leaf.’ It is pronounced as YU. Ye Rongguang and Ye Jiangchuan are well-known Chinese chess grandmasters. The former was the first ever Chinese chess player to become a grandmaster, followed by the latter.

106. Yeap

The Hakka and Hokkien version of Ye, Yeap means ‘leaf’ and was likely used as a nickname in earlier times.

107. Yeh

Yeh is another variant of Ye. It means ‘leaf’ and has other variations such as Yip and Yap.

108. Yen

Yen is the variant of Yan, another Chinese surname. It could have several meanings including ‘solemn,’ ‘gate,’ and ‘color.’

109. Yeo

Yeo is pronounced as YOON or YAWN in Hokkien. It is the variant of Yang, which means ‘willow,’ ‘poplar,’ or ‘aspen.’

110. Yeoh

Yeoh is a topographic surname that can be considered a variant of Yeo and Yang. It means ‘willow’ or ‘aspen.’ Michelle Yeoh is a famous bearer of this name. She is a Malaysian actress known for starring in several Hollywood films such as Tomorrow Never Dies and Crouching Tiger, and Hidden Dragon. She also has won several awards, including the Oscar for Everything Everywhere All At Once.

111. Yeow

A Hokkien and Teochew surname, Yeow is a variant of Yao, which means ‘handsome’ and ‘elegant’ and is pronounced as YOW in Hokkien and YO in Teochew.

112. Yeung

Yeung is pronounced as YUUNG and is the Cantonese version of Yang. It is also used as a Korean surname.

113. Yick

Alternatively written as Yik, this surname is the Cantonese version of Yi. These surnames are derived from the surname Li, which means ‘plum’ or ‘plum tree.’

114. Yim

Pronounced as YEEM, this surname is the Cantonese version of Yan. Yim is also used as a Vietnamese surname in Khmer.

115. Yin

Yin could be derived from the same given name meaning ‘silver,’ ‘sound,’ or ‘shade.’ It could also be an occupational name for a title of a ministerial position or a habitational name from the ancient city of Yin.

116. Ying

Ying is pronounced as EENG. It is a habitational name derived from the ancient state of Ying in the Zhou dynasty (in present-day Henan province).

117. Yip

Also written as Ip or Jip, this surname is a Cantonese version of Ye. It means ‘leaf’ and was likely used as a nickname before transitioning into a last name.

118. Yiu

The Cantonese version of Yao, Yiu means ‘handsome’ and ‘elegant.’

119. Yong

Yong is the Hakka version of Yang, which means ‘willow’ or ‘poplar.’ It is also used as a Korean and English surname with different meanings.

120. You

You means ‘especially’ or ‘particularly.’ It is pronounced as YO.

121. Young

Young is a variant of Yang. It could mean ‘poplar’ or ‘aspen’ or could also refer to the ‘yang’ in Chinese philosophy.

protip_icon Point to remember
Young is also an English surname meaning ‘young.’ It is translated into different languages such as Jung in German and De Jong in Dutch. The Chinese Young and the English Young have different meanings.

122. Yow

Written variously as You, Yaw. Yao, Iao, and Iau, this surname is the Hokkien version of Yao or Rao. Yao means ‘handsome’ and ‘elegant,’ while Rao is a habitational name from the ancient region of Rao in Zhao.

123. Yu

Yu could have several meanings depending on the characters used to write the surname. It could mean ‘in,’ ‘on,’ ‘at,’ ‘surplus,’ ‘consent,’ ‘approve,’ and ‘concerned.’

124. Yuan

Yuan is pronounced as WEHN. It means ‘origin’ or ‘source.’

125. Yue

Yue may be the Cantonese variant of Yu, which means ‘surplus.’ Alternatively, it could be derived from the ancient title of Tai Yue, which was given to officials who conducted sacrifices on mountains.

126. Yueh

A variation of Yue, Yueh is mainly used in Taiwan.

127. Yuen

Yuen is the Cantonese version of Ruan. It is the name of a musical instrument that is similar to a lute and was possibly given as a nickname for a player of this instrument.

128. Yung

Yung is the Cantonese version of Rong or Weng. Rong could be a habitational or occupational surname, while Weng means ‘elderly man.’

Discover more Chinese last names.

Hispanic Last Names That Start With Y

129. Yac

Yac is an Amerindian surname used predominantly in Guatemala. It has Mayan origins and means ‘fox.’

Yac is a last name that starts with Y

Image: Momjunction Design Team

130. Yambo

A Spanish surname used in Hispanic countries, Yambo is mainly found in Puerto Rico.

131. Yaranga

Yaranga is a Hispanic surname mainly used in Peru. It could mean ‘forgiveness’ and could also be a Russian surname.

132. Ybañez

Alternatively spelled as Ybanez, Ibañez, and Ibanez, this surname means ‘son of Iban,’ and is a derivative of John. It is used mainly in the Philippines.

133. Ybarbo

Ybarbo is a Hispanic surname that has Basque origins. It means ‘meadow,’ ‘riverbank,’ or ‘valley.’

134. Yepez

Also written as Yépez, this surname is a variant of Yepes. It is a habitational name.

135. Yepiz

Another variant of Yepez and Yepes, Yepiz is used mainly in Mexico.

136. Yerena

Yerena is a Hispanic surname mainly used in Mexico. It is a variant of Llerena, which is a habitational name from the place of the same name in Badajoz province.

137. Yerbabuena

Yerbabuena is a Spanish surname used mainly in Latin America. It means ‘good herb’ in Spanish.

138. Yesca

Another Mexican surname, Yesca is the variant of Illescas. It is a habitational name from the town of the same name in Toledo province.

139. Yescas

A Spanish surname mainly used in Mexico, Yescas is a variant of Illescas. These habitational surnames are derived from the town of the same name in the Toledo province.

140. Yisselin

Yisselin is a Spanish surname that is used mainly in Latin American countries. It is rarely found in Spain.

141. Ynfante

Another surname that is used in Hispanic countries, Ynfante is the variant of Infante. It means ‘child.’

142. Ynoa

Ynoa is a Hispanic surname that is predominantly used in the Dominican Republic. It is a variant of Inoa.

143. Yoami

Also written as Yoamy, this Spanish surname is used in Mexico. It is a rare last name.

144. Yoc

Yoc is a Spanish surname mainly used in Guatemala and Mexico. It is used predominantly among Amerindian people and has Mayan origins.

145. Yoguez

Yoguez is mainly used in Mexico and has Catalan origins. It is a topographic name that means ‘walnut tree.’

146. Yris

Yris is a Spanish surname used predominantly in Mexico. It is believed to be derived from Orris, which may be associated with Horace.

147. Yruegas

A variant of Iruegas, Yrugas has Basque origins and is found mainly in Mexico.

148. Ysais

Ysias is a variant of the biblical personal name Isaias. It means ‘God is salvation.’

149. Yunga

Yunga is a Castilianized form of the term yunka, which means ‘Andean valley’ and ‘lowland jungle.’ It is an Amerindian surname.

150. Yupa

Another Amerindian surname, Yupa has roots in the Quechua language. It means ‘abundant.’

151. Yzquierdo

Yzquierdo is derived from the word izquierdo, meaning ‘left,’ and was given as a nickname to a left-handed person. It is predominantly used in Mexico and Peru.

Discover more Mexican last names.

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there famous individuals with last names that start with Y?

Yes, there are several well-known people with last names that start with Y. Some of them include Pakistani activist Malala Yousafza, Japanese inventor and businessman Torakusu Yamaha, and Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.

2. How common are compound last names that start with Y?

Compound last names starting with Y are rarely used. However, they might exist in some countries or languages. Moreover, you can also choose to create a compound last name starting with Y by combining the surnames of both parents.

Last names that start with Y have seen popularity in different countries and languages. Names such as Yang, Yen, You, and Yokota are popular in China and Japan due to their ties with their histories and cultures. Spanish and Hispanic names such as Yñiguez and Yepez are common in Spanish-speaking countries. These last names connect generations and their unique spelling generates a sense of belonging. Most of these last names are topographic and habitational, while there are some occupational, too, Moreover, these last names include patronymics and nicknames. All these different names with different meanings and origins come together to tell the story of a rich culture.

Infographic: 6 Popular Topographic Last Names That Start With Y

Last names that start with Y can be found in several languages and cultures. Most of these names are habitational, though they may also be topographic, occupational, or patronymic. Some names are also derived from nicknames or first names. Take a look at the infographic below for some popular topographical last names starting with Y.

6 most popular topographic last names that start with y (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Last names that start with Y are common in Japan and China.
  • They may be often found in Spain and Hispanic countries.
  • Most of these last names are habitational or topographic.
  • Last names starting with Y such as Yeoh and Yamaha are recognized globally due to their major contributions to their fields.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. 100 Most Popular Japanese Surnames.
    https://www.jcccnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/100-Most-Popular-Japanese-Surnames.pdf
  2. “Nice to Meet You, My Name is OO!”: Family Names in Japan.
    https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC/E-Magazine-Jun-2021-Names.html
  3. St. John of the Cross.
    https://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=12434&cid=26556&ecid=26556&crid=0&calpgid=10817&calcid=24284
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Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing. Nisha discovered her passion for writing in 2016 when she started documenting her journey into motherhood.

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