Declining since 2019, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Yogi since 1953
Babies named Yogi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 29 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 15 |
| 2000s | 26 |
| 2010s | 81 |
| 2020s | 66 |
Meaning & origin
Yogi entered U.S. records in 1953 and has been given to boys ever since. Its rank of 7,194 in 2025 means it is quite rare, with approximately 1 in 155,280 male births. The name saw its peak popularity in 2019, but has been on a falling trajectory since then. While it carries deep spiritual roots from Sanskrit, modern awareness often owes to the cartoon character Yogi Bear, introduced in 1958. The name's simplicity and connection to yoga have given it a steady, if uncommon, presence in American naming.
Yogi derives from the Sanskrit word 'yogin,' meaning 'one who practices yoga.' Yoga itself comes from the root 'yuj,' meaning 'to yoke' or 'to unite.' The term gained Western recognition through spiritual teachers and the spread of yoga practice. In modern times, it has also been used as a given name, notably popularized by the American cartoon character Yogi Bear (debuting 1958).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yog
Variants: Yogin, Yogee
Sibling names for Yogi
Names that share Yogi's style, for a brother or sister.
