Yanky
Meaning of Yanky
Yanky is a Yiddish diminutive of Yankel – the Ashkenazi form of the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning “supplanter” or “heel-grasper.” Pronounced yahn-kee (/jɑŋ.ki/), it marries cultural authenticity with English-friendly phonetics, a balance reflected in its steady presence in U.S. birth data: 30 boys in 2024 (rank 894), with annual occurrences typically hovering in the low 900s over the past two decades. These modest fluctuations suggest a cautious revival among families seeking a name that nods to Jewish heritage without sacrificing approachability. Its limited popularity—around 30 registrations per year—also carries the statistical perk of rarity, ensuring few classmates will share the name and appealing to parents who value both historical depth and individual distinction.
Pronunciation
Yiddish
- Pronunced as yahn-kee (/jɑŋ.ki/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
