NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Yin

A Chinese name signifying the feminine, dark, or receptive principle.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 3 girls.

Yin is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Yin popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4805, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 4 births.

This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1998 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Yin. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2013 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Yin ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2006, when 4 boys were registered as Yin.
  • Yin is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Yin as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 81.3% of Yin registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4805

2012

Births in 2012

3

Latest year

Peak year

2006

4 births

Estimated living

13

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Yin

In England and Wales birth records, Yin has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 81.3% of registrations are for boys and 18.8% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

81% boys
19% girls
Boys13 (81.3%)Girls3 (18.8%)

Yin registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,805 in 2012
  • 3 boys registered in 2012
  • Peak: 2006 (4 births)

Yin registered for girls

  • Ranked #3,900 in 1999
  • 3 girls registered in 1999
  • Peak: 1999 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Yin mean?

The given name Yin has its origins in Chinese culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Chinese word "yin," which means "the shady side of a slope" or "the northern side of a hill." In traditional Chinese philosophy, yin represents the feminine, passive, and receptive principles in nature, in contrast to the masculine, active, and creative principles represented by yang.

One of the earliest mentions of the word "yin" can be found in the "I Ching" or "Book of Changes," an ancient Chinese classic text on divination and philosophy, which is believed to have been compiled around the 3rd century BCE. The concept of yin and yang is central to Chinese cosmology and metaphysics, and the name Yin reflects this deep-rooted cultural significance.

In Chinese mythology, Yin is also associated with the moon, the earth, and the feminine aspects of the universe. The name has been used in various Chinese literary works and historical records throughout the ages, often symbolizing balance, harmony, and the cyclical nature of life.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Yin was Yin Zhengxian (1012-1098 CE), a prominent Chinese Confucian scholar and philosopher during the Song Dynasty. He was known for his contributions to the study of the "I Ching" and his writings on ethics and moral philosophy.

Another notable figure was Yin Haiguang (1861-1935), a Chinese politician and military leader who played a significant role in the Xinhai Revolution, which led to the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912. He served as the governor of Hunan province and was a supporter of the revolutionary movement against the Qing Dynasty.

Yin Shun (1906-2005) was a prominent Buddhist monk and scholar from China. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of modern Chinese Buddhism. His teachings and writings aimed to revive and reinterpret Buddhist principles in a contemporary context.

Yin Yin (1948-2021) was a renowned Chinese film actress and director. She starred in several critically acclaimed films during the 1970s and 1980s, including "The Red Detachment of Women" and "Farewell My Concubine." She also directed several films and was known for her contributions to Chinese cinema.

Yin Yang (born 1977) is a Chinese-American rapper and record producer. He is known for his unique blend of hip-hop and traditional Chinese musical elements, and his efforts to bridge Eastern and Western cultures through his music. He has released several albums and has gained a following both in the United States and internationally.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Yin over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Yin in England and Wales, from 1998 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Yin, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
01234199820052012

Decades

Yin by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Yin was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #4805 3 1
2000s #3909 7 2
1990s #2901 3 1

Related

Names similar to Yin

FAQ

Yin: questions and answers

How popular is the name Yin in the UK right now?

In 2012, Yin was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Yin most popular?

The peak year on record was 2006, with 4 babies registered as Yin in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Yin?

A Chinese name signifying the feminine, dark, or receptive principle.

How many people are called Yin in the UK?

A total of 13 babies have been registered as Yin across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.