Yoo
A girl's name of Korean origin with 12 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Yoo hit its peak of 7 births in 1990, the internet was beginning to expose parents to a wider world of naming options, and pop culture influence on baby names was at an all-time high.
Today, Yoo reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Yoo is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Yoo is a girl's baby name of Korean origin meaning 'soft' or 'gentle,' a simple feminine name used in Korea.
EtymologyShow more
Yoo is built from 3 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Korean naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Yoo creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Yoo has 2+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1990.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12 | #14154 | — |
The Story of Yoo
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Yoo is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Yoo are most likely born between 1990 and 1999.
How rare is Yoo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Yoo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1990, peaked in the 1990s with 12 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(2 years, 1990–1999)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 5 | #16907 |
| 1990 | 7 | #11400 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yoo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Yoo most popular?
How popular is the name Yoo?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1990–1999