Declining since 2006, #1,443 for boys today.
Popularity of Yair since 1976
Babies named Yair per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 19 |
| 1980s | 91 |
| 1990s | 261 |
| 2000s | 2,133 |
| 2010s | 1,738 |
| 2020s | 800 |
Meaning & origin
Yair is a Hebrew name with biblical roots, appearing as a judge of Israel in the Book of Judges. It was first recorded in the United States in 1976 and saw a peak in usage in 2006, though it has been declining since. As of 2025, it ranks 1443rd and has a one-in-13,775 frequency among newborn boys. The name is most popular in Maryland, Illinois, and New Jersey, reflecting concentrations of Jewish communities. Yair carries a meaning of enlightenment or divine teaching, making it a meaningful choice for families seeking a name with religious and cultural significance.
Yair is a Hebrew name meaning 'he will enlighten' or 'God will teach.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of several figures, including a son of Manasseh and a judge of Israel. The name has been used among Jewish communities for centuries and gained some popularity in the United States in recent decades.
Where Yair is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Yair” around the world
Where Yair lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yai, Air
Variants: Jair
Sibling names for Yair
Names that share Yair's style, for a brother or sister.
