Yao
Fact sheet
- Name
- Yao
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 1
Yao is a first name that is used for both boys and girls. Originally, it was an ancient Chinese surname. The German translation of the name is 'the jade'.
What does the name Yao mean?
Yao is a gender-neutral first name that traces back to an ancient Chinese surname. Translated, it means 'the jade'. The name comes from the Chinese word yáo (瑤), which means 'jade' and 'mother of pearl'. Additionally, Yao is also a West African boy's name derived from Yaw, which carries the meaning 'the boy born on Thursday'. This origin lies in the African languages Akan and Ewe, where Ya means 'born on Thursday' and 'connected to the earth'. In these cultures, it is common to name children after the day of their birth and their birth order. An alternative form of this name is Yawo.
Where does the name Yao come from?
The first name Yao has its roots in the languages Akan and Ewe and means 'the boy born on Thursday'. In Chinese, the word yáo (瑤) is used, which means 'jade' or 'mother of pearl'. The name consists of: Ya = born on Thursday, connected to the earth (Akan and Ewe) and yáo (瑤) = jade, mother of pearl (Chinese). The languages from which Yao originates are Akan, Chinese, Ewe, and West African.
How do you pronounce Yao?
Jao
Popularity
In Germany, Yao is a relatively common first name. In 2023, it ranked 3,780th on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2006 at 930th. Over the last ten years, Yao has been given as a first name about 20 times, positioning it at 5,320th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 4,180th.
Famous people
- Bennard Yao Kumordzi (footballer from Ghana)
- Cephas Yao Agbemenu (Ghanaian artist)
- Ching-Yao Lu (Taiwanese badminton player)
- Chung-yao Chao (Chinese physicist)
- Chung-Yao Chao (physicist from the USA)
- Kouassi Yao Hermann (football player from Ivory Coast)
- Xing Yao Wu (fencer)
- Yao Aziawonou (Togolese footballer)
- Yao Chin (British actor)
- Yao Gao (Chinese football player)
- Yao He (poet from England)
- Yao Huang (artist)
- Yao Jingyuan (Chinese weightlifter)
- Yao Kitabatake (Japanese writer)
- Yao Lei (Chinese badminton player)
- Yao Li (handball player from China)
- Yao Ming (Chinese basketball player)
- Yao Ming Gan (Taiwanese writer)
- Yao Senaya (football player from Togo)
- Yao Shi (Chinese ice hockey player)
Frequently asked questions about the name Yao
What is the origin of the name Yao?
The name Yao has its roots in the languages Akan and Ewe, where it means 'the boy born on Thursday'. It also comes from Chinese, where yáo (瑤) means 'jade' or 'mother of pearl'.
What does the name Yao mean?
Yao is a gender-neutral first name that appears in both Chinese and West African cultures. In Chinese, it means 'jade', while in West African tradition, it means 'the boy born on Thursday'.
How popular is the name Yao?
The popularity of the name Yao varies by region. In certain cultures, especially in West Africa, it is widely used, while in other countries it is less common.