Find out how popular the first name Yanky has been for the last 19 years (from 2005 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yanky by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Yanky is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 29 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yanky.

The history of the first name Yanky

The name Yanky is a diminutive form of the Hebrew name Yonatan, which is derived from the root word "natan" meaning "to give." It is also a variant spelling of the English name Yankee, which originated as a Dutch nickname for English colonists in America. The name Yanky likely emerged as a combination of these two linguistic influences.

In Hebrew tradition, the name Yonatan is associated with the biblical figure Jonathan, the son of King Saul and a close friend of David. Jonathan is portrayed as a brave warrior and a loyal companion to David. The name Yonatan has been used by Jewish communities for centuries, with variations like Yanky becoming popular in certain regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yanky can be found in the writings of the 16th-century Italian Jewish scholar, Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno. He mentioned a person named Yanky in his commentary on the Book of Samuel.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Yanky. One of the most famous was Yanky Davidov (1926-2011), a Russian-born Israeli artist known for his vibrant and expressive paintings. Another was Yanky Ginzburg (1928-2017), a Polish-born Israeli author and journalist who wrote extensively about the Holocaust and Jewish culture.

In the 18th century, there was Yanky Levi (1740-1815), a French-Jewish scholar and kabbalist who authored several works on Jewish mysticism. In the 19th century, Yanky Hirsch (1820-1892) was a German-born American rabbi and educator who helped establish several important Jewish institutions in the United States.

Another notable figure was Yanky Tartakower (1887-1956), a Polish-born chess grandmaster and author who made significant contributions to the theory and practice of the game.

While the name Yanky has its roots in Hebrew and Jewish culture, it has also been adopted by various communities around the world, with variations in spelling and pronunciation. However, its core meaning remains tied to the concepts of giving and gifting, as well as the biblical figure of Jonathan.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Yanky was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yanky, please contact us.

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