Yi
Every Yi since 1980 — 486 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Yi
Yi is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,435 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1980, 486 American babies have been named Yi — about 63% boys and 37% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2018, when 25 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Yi stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Yi year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #10,084 | 14 | #6,435 |
| 2024 | 8 | #12,120 | 12 | #7,239 |
| 2023 | 11 | #9,586 | 12 | #7,275 |
| 2022 | 9 | #11,206 | 15 | #6,142 |
| 2021 | — | — | 11 | #7,565 |
| 2020 | 7 | #13,413 | 14 | #6,282 |
| 2019 | 8 | #12,412 | 15 | #6,093 |
| 2018 | — | — | 25 | #4,219 |
| 2017 | 6 | #15,831 | 13 | #6,665 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12,838 | 11 | #7,588 |
| 2015 | 9 | #11,806 | 15 | #5,985 |
| 2014 | — | — | 11 | #7,537 |
| 2013 | — | — | 15 | #5,909 |
| 2012 | — | — | 11 | #7,532 |
| 2011 | — | — | 8 | #9,574 |
| 2010 | 5 | #19,748 | 5 | #14,193 |
| 2009 | — | — | 7 | #10,943 |
| 2008 | 6 | #17,436 | — | — |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,428 | 9 | #8,890 |
| 2006 | 10 | #11,391 | — | — |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,975 | — | — |
| 2004 | 11 | #9,874 | 6 | #11,317 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,738 | 8 | #8,616 |
| 2002 | — | — | 7 | #9,373 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,999 | — | — |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,996 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | 7 | #7,782 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | 5 | #12,141 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Yi
- Yi Sun-sin Military personnel · 1545–1598
- Yi I Philosopher · 1536–1584
- Yi Hwang Philosopher · 1501–1570
- Yi Xing Mathematician · 683–727
- Yi Kwang-su Writer · 1892–1950
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Yi in 2025?
Yi ranked #6,435 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Yi?
486 babies have been named Yi in the United States since 1980, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Yi most popular?
Yi peaked in 2018, when 25 newborns received the name.
Is Yi a boy or girl name?
Yi is used for both: about 37% of babies named Yi have been girls and 63% boys.
Is the name Yi rising or falling?
Yi has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Yi?
Well-known people named Yi include Yi Sun-sin (military personnel), Yi I (philosopher), Yi Hwang (philosopher).