Yves
BoyGermanic
Yves is a boy name of Germanic origin meaning "Yew tree".
About this name
Gender
Boy
Language
Germanic
Popularity
89 / 100
Syllables
2
Length
4 letters
Meaning
Yew tree
Etymology
Yves is a common French male given name of uncertain origin, either from Celtic as in the Gaulish name Ivo (Iuo) and compound names Ivorix and Ivomagus (Iuo-magi), all derived from the Gaulish term for yew, iuos or īuos, or from Germanic, derived from Proto-Germanic *īwaz, *īhwaz, masculine variant of *īwō, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eyHweh₂, meaning yew. The etymology of the French common name if "yew tree" is disputed the same way as the first name Yves, whether it is Gaulish or Germanic.
Famous People Named Yves
- Yves Saint Laurent — French fashion designer (1936–2008)
- Yves Montand — French-Italian actor and singer (1921–1991)
- Yves Leterme — former Belgian prime minister
- Yves Chauvin — French chemist (1930–2015)
- Yves Klein — 20th century French visual artist (1928–1962)
Frequently Asked Questions About Yves
What does the name Yves mean?
Yves means "Yew tree", and is of Germanic origin.
What is the origin of the name Yves?
Yves originates from Germanic.
Is Yves a boy or girl name?
Yves is typically used as a boy name.
Are there famous people named Yves?
Yes — notable people named Yves include Yves Saint Laurent (French fashion designer, 1936–2008), Yves Montand (French-Italian actor and singer, 1921–1991), Yves Leterme (former Belgian prime minister), Yves Chauvin (French chemist, 1930–2015) and Yves Klein (20th century French visual artist, 1928–1962).
Last updated: June 2026