Yuri

Pronunciation: [ y-OOR-ee ]

Girl Name #1,494 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The Japanese lily — pure, elegant, and quietly powerful

Japanese Korean Russian Slavic

Unique Gentle Elegant Earthy Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"lily (flower)"

Origin: Japanese

Language: Japanese

"glass, crystal"

Origin: Korean

Language: Korean

"farmer (Slavic masculine form)"

Origin: Greek via Slavic

Language: Russian

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with Yuri Gagarin (space), Yuri (Russian) context

The Story of Yuri

Yuri has two distinct origins. In Japanese, Yuri (百合) means lily, one of Japan's most beloved flowers, symbolizing purity and refined beauty. As a girl's name it is one of Japan's most classic feminine names. In Slavic languages (Russian, Ukrainian), Yuri (Юрий) is a masculine name meaning farmer, derived from the Greek Georgios (George). The identical spelling covers two entirely different names, cultures, and genders — making context essential.

As a girls name, Yuri is primarily found in Japan and Korea (Yuri Hangul: 유리 meaning glass/crystal). It gained some Western visibility through anime characters named Yuri, particularly in yuri genre anime (girls love). The 2017 anime Yuri on Ice sparked broader interest in the name.

In Japan, the lily (yuri) is deeply embedded in cultural symbolism — representing purity, renewal, and elegance. The name is also associated with the yuri genre of Japanese media depicting female relationships. In Russian, Yuri carries the weight of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space.

Fun Facts

Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space on April 12, 1961 — one of the most famous bearers of the Slavic form
In Japan, lily flowers are used in Buddhist ceremonies and represent purity and renewal
The anime Yuri on Ice (2016) helped bring the name to international attention among younger parents

Yuri in Other Languages

Korean 유리 (glass/crystal)

Chinese 百合 (lily)

Russian Юрий (farmer, masculine)

Japanese 百合 (lily)

Famous People Named Yuri

Yuri (singer)

Musician

1988

South Korean singer and member of the K-pop group Girls Generation (SNSD)

Yuri Gagarin

Explorer

1934

Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space on April 12, 1961

Yuri Katsuki Fictional

Other

Protagonist of the beloved 2016 anime Yuri on Ice, an elite figure skater whose story popularized the name international...

Protagonist of the beloved 2016 anime Yuri on Ice, an elite figure skater whose story popularized the name internationally

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,494
Total SSA Count: 146
Cultural Origins: Japanese Korean Russian Slavic
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Yuritzi #4635

Common Nicknames

Pairs Well With

Yuri Hana Yuri Mei Yuri Sofia Yuri Elise Yuri Rose Yuri Amara Yuri Jade

Sibling Names

Hana Sakura Mei Kenji Hiro Nami Sora

Also a Boy Name

Yuri is also used as a boy name, ranked #1792.

View Yuri as a boy name →

Similar Names

Laurie Uri Glory Lani Rory Tori Rory Cori

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yuri

What does the name Yuri mean?

"lily (flower)" (from Japanese). "glass, crystal" (from Korean). "farmer (Slavic masculine form)" (from Greek via Slavic). Yuri has two distinct origins. In Japanese, Yuri (百合) means lily, one of Japan's most beloved flowers, symbolizing purity and refined beauty. As a girl's name it is one of Japan's most classic feminine names. In Slavic languages (Russian, Ukrainian), Yuri (Юрий) is a masculine name meaning farmer, derived from the Greek Georgios (George). The identical spelling covers two entirely different names, cultures, and genders — making context essential.

What is the origin of the name Yuri?

Yuri has Japanese, Korean, Greek via Slavic, Russian, and Slavic origins. In Japanese, it means "lily (flower)". In Korean, it means "glass, crystal". In Greek via Slavic, it means "farmer (Slavic masculine form)".

Is Yuri a boy or girl name?

Yuri is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1494. As a boy name, it is ranked #1792. 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 #1494 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Yuri?

Common nicknames for Yuri include Yu.

What are good middle names for Yuri?

Popular middle name pairings include Yuri Hana, Yuri Mei, Yuri Sofia, Yuri Elise, Yuri Rose, Yuri Amara, and Yuri Jade.

What are good sibling names for Yuri?

Names that pair well with Yuri as siblings include Hana, Sakura, Mei, Kenji, Hiro, Nami, and Sora.

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 #1494 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Yuri

Yuri is a girl name with Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Slavic origins . The name means "lily (flower)" in Japanese .

Is Yuri a boy or girl name? Yuri is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,494 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,792. Yuri is more commonly used as a girl name.

Yuri is currently ranked #1,494 in popularity for girl 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 Yu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Yuri include Yuritzi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.