Rising since 2009, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Yamina since 1978
Babies named Yamina per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 35 |
| 2000s | 34 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 40 |
Meaning & origin
Yamina is a name with a rich etymological background, likely stemming from the Arabic word for 'right hand' or 'blessing'. Despite its deep roots, it remains a rare choice in the United States, ranking 10,107 in 2025 with only 1 in 178,585 newborns receiving the name. Its peak year was 1995, but it has been rising in usage since 2009, indicating a slow but steady resurgence. The name has not yet broken into the top states list, suggesting a scattered but devoted following.
Yamina is likely derived from the Arabic word 'yamīn' (يمين), meaning 'right hand' or 'oath'. The right hand is traditionally associated with blessing and good fortune in Arabic-speaking cultures, giving the name connotations of auspiciousness. It may also be a variant of the Hebrew name 'Yamina', which appears in the Old Testament as a minor figure. In modern times, the name has been used across North Africa and the Middle East, and has seen some adoption in Western countries.
“Yamina” around the world
Where Yamina lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
50
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yami, Mina, Yaya
Variants: Yaminah, Jameena
Sibling names for Yamina
Names that share Yamina's style, for a brother or sister.
