Find out how popular the first name Yves has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yves by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Yves is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Yves being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 male babies and 10 female babies born with the name Yves.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 10 baby girls were named Yves in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Yves

The name Yves originated from the French form of the ancient Germanic name Ivo. It is derived from the words "iv" meaning yew, and "vig" meaning vigor or strength. This name has been in use since at least the 9th century in parts of Western Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yves can be found in the historical record of a Breton bishop and saint, Yves Hélori, who lived from 1253 to 1303. He was known for his piety, charitable works, and defense of the poor against the oppression of the nobility.

Another notable figure in history with the name Yves was Yves de Chartres, a French theologian and philosopher who lived from around 1040 to 1115. He was a prominent teacher and writer during the scholastic period and his works influenced the development of medieval philosophy and theology.

In the 17th century, Yves Boucherat (1630-1726) was a prominent French jurist and statesman who served as the Chancellor of France under Louis XIV. He is remembered for his efforts to reform and modernize the French legal system.

Moving into the 19th century, Yves Menard (1807-1858) was a French poet and novelist who was part of the Romantic movement. His works, such as "Rêveries d'un païen mystique" (Reveries of a Mystic Pagan), explored themes of nature, spirituality, and mythology.

Another notable figure with the name Yves was Yves Tanguy (1900-1955), a French surrealist painter known for his unique and imaginative landscapes featuring strange, biomorphic forms and dreamlike imagery. His works are considered influential in the development of surrealism in art.

These are just a few examples of historical figures who bore the name Yves, which has a rich heritage rooted in ancient European cultures and has been carried by notable individuals across various fields throughout history.

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

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

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