Declining since 1992, #5,099 for girls today.
Popularity of Yanira since 1964
Babies named Yanira per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 26 |
| 1970s | 338 |
| 1980s | 807 |
| 1990s | 922 |
| 2000s | 729 |
| 2010s | 327 |
| 2020s | 160 |
Meaning & origin
Yanira first appeared on U.S. Social Security records in 1964 and saw its peak usage in 1993, when it ranked highest in popularity. Since 1992, its use has been in a gradual decline; in the most recent year measured, 2023, it ranked 5,099 and had an incidence of 1 in 64,291 newborns. The name is most common in California. Its etymology remains unsettled, with ties to both Indigenous Brazilian and European traditions, giving it a multicultural character. Yanira offers a distinctive sound that fits well within Spanish and Portuguese naming patterns without being overly common.
Yanira is a name of uncertain and possibly multiple origins. It may be a variant of Yara, derived from the Tupi name Iara, meaning 'water lady' or 'small butterfly.' Alternatively, it could be a feminine form of Yani, a diminutive of names like Jan or John, with European roots. The name has been in use in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities, including in the United States, since the mid-20th century.
Where Yanira is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Yanira” around the world
Where Yanira lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yani, Nira
Sibling names for Yanira
Names that share Yanira's style, for a brother or sister.
