UK name, mostly girls
Yue
A Chinese unisex given name meaning "moon" or "jade".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Yue is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Yue popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4686, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 8 births.
This profile covers 30 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2009 to 2019. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 30 living people in the UK are called Yue. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Yue ranked #4686 for girls in England and Wales in 2019, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 8 girls were registered as Yue.
- • About 30 living people in the UK are estimated to have Yue as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 90.9% of Yue registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4686
2019
Births in 2019
4
Latest year
Peak year
2009
8 births
Estimated living
30
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Yue
In England and Wales birth records, Yue has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 9.1% of registrations are for boys and 90.9% 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.
Yue registered for boys
- Ranked #3,849 in 2005
- 3 boys registered in 2005
- Peak: 2005 (3 births)
Yue registered for girls
- Ranked #4,686 in 2019
- 4 girls registered in 2019
- Peak: 2009 (8 births)
Meaning
What does Yue mean?
The name Yue has its origins in Chinese culture and language, with a history dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Chinese word 'yuè', which means 'moon' or 'moonlight'. The name is often associated with beauty, femininity, and grace, reflecting the serene and ethereal qualities of the moon.
In ancient Chinese literature and poetry, the moon has been a recurring symbol of longing, romance, and the passage of time. The name Yue has been mentioned in various classical texts, including the Book of Songs, one of the oldest existing collections of Chinese poetry. This association with literary tradition and cultural significance has contributed to the enduring appeal of the name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yue dates back to the Spring and Autumn period (771-476 BC), when a renowned Chinese philosopher named Yue Zheng lived. He was a prominent figure in the state of Qi and is remembered for his contributions to the development of early Chinese philosophy.
Throughout Chinese history, several notable individuals have borne the name Yue. For instance, Yue Fei (1103-1142) was a celebrated military general during the Southern Song dynasty, known for his loyalty and bravery in defending the country against the Jurchen invaders. His legacy has been immortalized in various literary works and folk tales, making him a cultural icon.
Another notable figure was Yue Xuan (692-755), a renowned Tang dynasty poet and scholar. Her poems were praised for their elegance and depth, and she was highly regarded for her literary achievements during a time when few women were recognized in the literary realm.
In the realm of arts and entertainment, Yue Hua (1768-1839) was a prominent Qing dynasty painter renowned for her intricate and delicate depictions of birds and flowers. Her works are considered masterpieces of traditional Chinese painting and are highly valued by art collectors worldwide.
Yue Jiaying (1922-2020) was a celebrated Chinese writer and playwright who gained recognition for her novels and plays that explored the complexities of modern Chinese society and the struggles faced by women. Her works have been widely translated and have had a significant impact on contemporary Chinese literature.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Yue, a name deeply rooted in Chinese culture and tradition, reflecting the beauty and significance of the moon in various aspects of life.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Yue over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Yue in England and Wales, from 2005 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Yue, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2019, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Yue by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Yue 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 | #5052 | 22 | 6 |
| 2000s | #2759 | 8 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Yue
- Yasmin 10,052
- Yusra 2,725
- Yasmine 2,474
- Yara 1,487
- Yazmin 806
- Yumna 601
- Yasmeen 527
- Yasmina 518
- Yasemin 513
- Yana 452
- Yvie 377
- Yvonne 368
FAQ
Yue: questions and answers
How popular is the name Yue in the UK right now?
In 2019, Yue was ranked #4686 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Yue most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 8 babies registered as Yue in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Yue?
A Chinese unisex given name meaning "moon" or "jade".
How many people are called Yue in the UK?
A total of 30 babies have been registered as Yue across the 7 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.