"farmer, earth worker"
Origin: Greek via Slavic
Language: Russian
Yuri
Pronunciation: [ y-OOR-ee ]
Does Yuri flow with your last name?
A cosmonaut's name meaning earth worker
Russian
Japanese
Ukrainian
Korean
Brazilian
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Modern
Bold
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"lily flower"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
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The Story of Yuri
Yuri is the Russian and Ukrainian form of George, which derives from the Greek Georgios meaning farmer or earth worker. In Japan, Yuri is also a common feminine name meaning lily, making it cross-cultural in a unique way. The name traveled across Eurasia through Eastern Orthodox Christianity, becoming beloved across Slavic nations.
Yuri gained global recognition in April 1961 when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. The name remains popular across Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, and Japan. In anime and manga culture, the word yuri has also taken on a genre meaning.
In Russian culture, Yuri carries the weight of heroism — Yuri Gagarin's space flight was a defining moment of Soviet national pride. In Japan, the name takes on a delicate floral quality, while in Brazil it has gained popularity as an international-sounding name.
Historical Record
Yuri first appeared in US Social Security records in 1961.
Over 2,367 babies have been named Yuri in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yuri is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,792 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, made this name famous worldwide on April 12, 1961
- April 12 is celebrated as Yuri's Night by space enthusiasts globally in his honor
Yuri in Other Languages
Greek
Γεώργιος
Arabic
يوري
Russian
Юрий
Japanese
ユーリ
Ukrainian
Юрій
Popularity Over Time
#1,792
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yuri
Y
Yuri Herrera
Writer
1970
Mexican novelist known for Signs Preceding the End of the World
Y
Yuri Gagarin
Military
1934
Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space on April 12, 1961
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Compare Yuri with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,792
- Total SSA Count
- 91
- Cultural Origins
- Russian Japanese Ukrainian Korean Brazilian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Yuri
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Russian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yuri
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Yuri is also used as a girl name, ranked #1494.
View Yuri as a girl name →Similar Names
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Greek Dionysios origin
"follower of Dionysus, god of wine"
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Vladimir
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Slavic origin
"rules with peace/fame"
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Old English (patronymic) origin
"son of Ed, son of the wealthy guardian"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yuri
What does the name Yuri mean?
"farmer, earth worker" (from Greek via Slavic). "lily flower" (from Japanese). Yuri is the Russian and Ukrainian form of George, which derives from the Greek Georgios meaning farmer or earth worker. In Japan, Yuri is also a common feminine name meaning lily, making it cross-cultural in a unique way. The name traveled across Eurasia through Eastern Orthodox Christianity, becoming beloved across Slavic nations.
What is the origin of the name Yuri?
Yuri has Greek via Slavic, Japanese, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, and Brazilian origins. In Greek via Slavic, it means "farmer, earth worker". In Japanese, it means "lily flower".
Is Yuri a boy or girl name?
Yuri is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1792. As a girl name, it is ranked #1494. Yuri is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Yuri?
Yuri is pronounced y-OOR-ee.
How popular is the name Yuri?
Yuri is currently ranked #1792 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yuri?
Common nicknames for Yuri include Yuri.
What are good middle names for Yuri?
Popular middle name pairings include Yuri Alexander, Yuri James, Yuri Michael, Yuri Anton, Yuri Nikolai, Yuri David, and Yuri Ivan.
What are good sibling names for Yuri?
Names that pair well with Yuri as siblings include Natasha, Sasha, Misha, Katya, Dmitri, Anya, and Pavel.
How many syllables does Yuri have?
Yuri has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yuri a common or rare name?
Yuri is an uncommon name, ranked #1792 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Yuri
Yuri is a boy name with Russian, Japanese, Ukrainian, Korean, and Brazilian origins . The name means "farmer, earth worker" in Greek via Slavic .
Is Yuri a boy or girl name? Yuri is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,792 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,494. Yuri is more commonly used as a girl name.
Yuri is currently ranked #1,792 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Yuri has 2 syllables and is pronounced y-OOR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yuri include Yuri. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis