Yuri means farmer in Russian (from George) or lily in Japanese. Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space — the most important single achievement in exploration history. Yuri is one of the most common Russian names. In Japanese anime culture, yuri refers to stories about women's relationships. Four letters of cosmonaut courage, Russian farmland, and Japanese lilies.
Greek geōrgos (farmer)→Russian Yuri / Japanese 百合 (yuri, lily)
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Japanese roots
Yuri has dual origins: from the Russian form of George (farmer) and from the Japanese meaning lily. Yuri Gagarin (1934–1968) was the first human in space on April 12, 1961 — the single most important moment in exploration history. The name works for any gender.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Traditional Russian name; Yuri Gagarin (1934–1968) first human in space 1961.
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Today
Yuri remains a beloved choice, ranking #1842 in the US. 5,996 babies have been named Yuri since 1919.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, SSA data
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How popular is Yuri?
2022peak year
Yuri first appears in the U.S. registration record in 1919. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 2022, 180 babies received the name (ranked #1316). Today it sits well outside the top 1,000 (around #1842), with roughly 197 babies named Yuri each year. Yuri has been trending upward in recent years. In total, around 5,996 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Yuri's Life Path 1 is the pioneer's number — the first in space. People named Yuri tend to be pioneering, brave, and gifted at going where no one has gone before.
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Goes where no one has gone
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First-in-space courage
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Russian-Japanese bridge
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Lily-gentle, cosmonaut-brave
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Farmer-to-spaceman journey
Y7
U3
R9
I9
Sum: 28 → Life path 1
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Personality of Yuri
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Independent & bold
These individuals chart their own course. They lead, they don't follow.
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Ambitious drive
Quiet determination sits behind everything they do.
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Original ideas
Their minds work differently — seeing angles others walk past.
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