Find out how popular the first name Yari has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yari by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Yari is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 91% of people named Yari being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 27 female babies and 9 male babies born with the name Yari.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 9 baby boys were named Yari in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Yari

The name Yari is believed to have its origins in the Japanese language and culture. It is thought to be derived from the Japanese word "yari," which means "spear" or "javelin." The name likely originated during the feudal period in Japan, when samurai warriors and their weapons played a significant role in society.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yari can be found in the Japanese historical text "Azuma Kagami" (The Mirror of the East), which dates back to the 13th century. This chronicle of the Kamakura period mentions a warrior named Yari no Munetaka, who served under the famous shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Yari has also been associated with Japanese mythology and folklore. In the Shinto religion, there is a deity known as Yari-no-Kaminari-no-Kami, which translates to "the God of the Spear and Thunder." This deity is believed to be a protector of warriors and is often depicted holding a spear.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Yari. One of the most famous was Yari Kawashima (1830-1885), a Japanese samurai and military strategist who played a crucial role in the Boshin War, which led to the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule in Japan.

Another prominent figure was Yari Dokugan (1642-1714), a renowned Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and calligrapher. His calligraphic works are highly revered and have been preserved in various temples and museums across Japan.

In the field of literature, Yari Kikuchi (1904-1980) was a celebrated Japanese novelist and poet. His works often explored themes of modernization and cultural identity in post-war Japan, earning him numerous literary awards and recognition.

Yari Suzuki (1922-2013) was a renowned Japanese scientist and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. His groundbreaking research paved the way for the widespread use of LCD screens in various electronic devices.

Lastly, Yari Ogawa (1936-2008) was a Japanese actor and voice actor who had a prolific career spanning over five decades. He is particularly remembered for his roles in popular anime series and films, including his portrayal of Goku in the iconic "Dragon Ball" franchise.

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 Yari was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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