NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Yoyo

A diminutive of the Chinese name Youyuan, meaning "excellent source/origin".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Yoyo is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Yoyo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5707, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2005 to 2010. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Yoyo. 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 2011 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Yoyo ranked #5707 for girls in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 3 girls were registered as Yoyo.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Yoyo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5707

2010

Births in 2010

3

Latest year

Peak year

2005

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Meaning

What does Yoyo mean?

The given name Yoyo is believed to have originated from the Spanish language, derived from the phrase "yo yo" which translates to "I myself" or "me me." This playful repetition is thought to have inspired the naming of the popular toy, the yo-yo, which then became a given name in its own right.

While the exact origins of the name Yoyo are unclear, some historical records suggest it may have been used as a nickname or diminutive form of other Spanish names like Yolanda or Yolanda. However, its widespread use as a standalone given name is a relatively modern phenomenon.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Yoyo was a Spanish artist named Yoyo Rodríguez, born in 1933. She was known for her vibrant and colorful paintings that celebrated traditional Spanish culture and folklore.

Another notable figure was Yoyo Toshi, a Japanese-American actor born in 1920. He appeared in several Hollywood films during the 1940s and 1950s, often portraying Asian characters in a time when such representation was limited.

In the world of music, Yoyo Mono was a Japanese singer and songwriter active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his unique blend of traditional Japanese music with Western rock and pop influences.

The name Yoyo also gained some prominence in the world of sports. Yoyo Vázquez was a Mexican baseball player who played in the major leagues from 1974 to 1985, primarily for the Houston Astros.

Lastly, one cannot discuss the name Yoyo without mentioning Yoyo Ma, the world-renowned cellist. Born in 1955, he has won numerous awards and accolades for his virtuosic performances and has been a leading figure in the classical music world for decades.

While these are just a few examples, the name Yoyo has been borne by individuals from various cultures and backgrounds throughout history, each adding their unique contribution to the legacy of this playful and distinctive name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Yoyo over time

The chart below shows babies named Yoyo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Yoyo, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2010, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Yoyo
01223200520072010

Decades

Yoyo by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Yoyo 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 #5707 3 1
2000s #4798 3 1

Related

Names similar to Yoyo

FAQ

Yoyo: questions and answers

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

In 2010, Yoyo was ranked #5707 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Yoyo most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 3 babies registered as Yoyo in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Yoyo?

A diminutive of the Chinese name Youyuan, meaning "excellent source/origin".

How many people are called Yoyo in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Yoyo across the 2 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.