Finding cities starting with Y can be surprisingly difficult. The letter Y is much less common at the beginning of English city names than letters such as A, B, C, or S. Still, there are plenty of interesting examples scattered across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and Australia.
Some are huge urban centers, especially useful for geography quizzes, word games, classroom activities, and A–Z challenges, such as Yangon, Yokohama, and Yaoundé, while others are smaller cities and towns that are esnges. China alone contributes a large share of Y-starting city names, including Yantai, Yangzhou, Yichang, Yinchuan, Yiwu, and Yueyang.
The exact number depends on how a source defines a “city.” One current global population database lists 121 cities beginning with Y with populations above 50,000, while broader city-name databases contain many more smaller settlements.
Below, you’ll find more than 50 city names beginning with Y, organized by region, with the country and relevant state, province, or region included where useful.
Major Cities Starting With Y
These are some of the best-known and largest cities beginning with Y. They range from major Asian metropolitan areas to historic European cities and important African capitals. Several rank among the world’s largest Y-starting urban centers.
- Yangon — Myanmar — Yangon Region
- Yokohama — Japan — Kanagawa Prefecture
- Yaoundé — Cameroon — Centre Region
- Yantai — China — Shandong Province
- Yangzhou — China — Jiangsu Province
- Yinchuan — China — Ningxia
- Yiwu — China — Zhejiang Province
- Yekaterinburg — Russia — Sverdlovsk Oblast
- Yancheng — China — Jiangsu Province
- Yichang — China — Hubei Province
- Yueyang — China — Hunan Province
- Yibin — China — Sichuan Province
- Yongin — South Korea — Gyeonggi Province
- Yerevan — Armenia — Yerevan Province
- Yulin — China — Shaanxi Province
- Yogyakarta — Indonesia — Special Region of Yogyakarta
- Yamoussoukro — Côte d’Ivoire — Yamoussoukro District
- Yazd — Iran — Yazd Province
- Yaroslavl — Russia — Yaroslavl Oblast
- Yakutsk — Russia — Sakha Republic
Among these, Yangon is the largest city beginning with Y in the population ranking used by World Population Review, followed by Yokohama and Yaoundé.
Cities Starting With Y in the United States
The United States has a surprisingly strong collection of Y city names. They include major cities such as Yonkers and Youngstown, as well as smaller communities such as Yreka and Yucaipa.
- Yakima — Washington
- Yankton — South Dakota
- Yazoo City — Mississippi
- Yeadon — Pennsylvania
- Yelm — Washington
- Yoakum — Texas
- Yonkers — New York
- Yorba Linda — California
- York — Pennsylvania
- York — Nebraska
- York — South Carolina
- Youngstown — Ohio
- Youngsville — Louisiana
- Youngtown — Arizona
- Ypsilanti — Michigan
- Yreka — California
- Yuba City — California
- Yucaipa — California
- Yucca Valley — California
- Yuma — Arizona
Yonkers, New York, is one of the largest American cities beginning with Y. Yuma, Yakima, Youngstown, and Yuba City are other recognizable names that often work well in geography games.
Cities Starting With Y in Canada
Canada has fewer Y-starting urban names than the United States, but several are well known. Yellowknife is especially famous because it is the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories and is associated with spectacular northern lights.
- Yellowknife — Northwest Territories
- Yarmouth — Nova Scotia
- Yorkton — Saskatchewan
- Youngs Cove — New Brunswick
Yellowknife is the standout answer if you need a famous Canadian city beginning with Y. It is located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake and serves as the territorial capital.
Cities Starting With Y in Europe
Europe offers a diverse group of Y city names. They include historic York in England, Yerevan in Armenia, Yaroslavl in Russia, and several cities across Spain, Sweden, France, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
- York — United Kingdom — England
- Yerevan — Armenia — Yerevan
- Yaroslavl — Russia — Yaroslavl Oblast
- Yekaterinburg — Russia — Sverdlovsk Oblast
- Yevpatoria — Ukraine — Crimea
- Yalta — Ukraine — Crimea
- Yelets — Russia — Lipetsk Oblast
- Yessentuki — Russia — Stavropol Krai
- Yeovil — United Kingdom — England
- Yecla — Spain — Murcia
- Yerres — France — Île-de-France
- Ystad — Sweden — Skåne County
- Yverdon-les-Bains — Switzerland — Vaud
- Yambol — Bulgaria — Yambol Province
- Yevlakh — Azerbaijan — Yevlakh District
- Yozgat — Turkey — Yozgat Province
- Yalova — Turkey — Yalova Province
- Yutz — France — Grand Est
York, United Kingdom
York is one of the most recognizable European cities beginning with Y. Located in northern England, it is famous for its medieval center, historic walls, York Minster, and long Roman and Viking history.
Yerevan, Armenia
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is a particularly useful answer for geography questions asking for a capital city that begins with Y.
Cities Starting With Y in Asia
Asia has by far one of the richest collections of Y-starting city names. China, Japan, South Korea, India, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, and other countries contribute numerous examples.
- Yokohama — Japan — Kanagawa
- Yamagata — Japan — Yamagata Prefecture
- Yamaguchi — Japan — Yamaguchi Prefecture
- Yokosuka — Japan — Kanagawa
- Yokkaichi — Japan — Mie Prefecture
- Yonago — Japan — Tottori Prefecture
- Yao — Japan — Osaka Prefecture
- Yachiyo — Japan — Chiba Prefecture
- Yakutsk — Russia — Sakha Republic
- Yantai — China — Shandong
- Yangzhou — China — Jiangsu
- Yinchuan — China — Ningxia
- Yiwu — China — Zhejiang
- Yichang — China — Hubei
- Yibin — China — Sichuan
- Yueyang — China — Hunan
- Yiyang — China — Hunan
- Yuyao — China — Zhejiang
- Yixing — China — Jiangsu
- Yangjiang — China — Guangdong
- Yangzhou — China — Jiangsu
- Yancheng — China — Jiangsu
- Yingkou — China — Liaoning
- Yuncheng — China — Shanxi
- Yuxi — China — Yunnan
- Yulin — China — Shaanxi
- Yongzhou — China — Hunan
- Yichun — China — Jiangxi
- Yuzhou — China — Henan
- Yuanping — China — Shanxi
- Yongin — South Korea — Gyeonggi
- Yeosu — South Korea — Jeollanam-do
- Yangju — South Korea — Gyeonggi
- Yeoju — South Korea — Gyeonggi
- Yeongju — South Korea — North Gyeongsang
- Yeongcheon — South Korea — North Gyeongsang
- Yogyakarta — Indonesia — Special Region of Yogyakarta
- Yamunanagar — India — Haryana
- Yavatmal — India — Maharashtra
- Yadgir — India — Karnataka
- Yazd — Iran — Yazd Province
- Yasuj — Iran — Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province
- Yala — Thailand — Yala Province
- Yasothon — Thailand — Yasothon Province
- Yanbu — Saudi Arabia — Medina Province
- Yevlakh — Azerbaijan — Yevlakh District
- Yilan — Taiwan — Yilan County
- Yuanlin — Taiwan — Changhua County
- Yaren — Nauru — Yaren District
China alone accounts for a very large share of globally listed Y-starting cities, which explains why long lists of cities beginning with Y often contain many Chinese names.
Cities Starting With Y in Africa
Africa also has several important cities beginning with Y. Some are national capitals, while others are regional centers or growing cities. These names are particularly useful for geography quizzes because they cover several different African countries.
- Yaoundé — Cameroon — Centre Region
- Yamoussoukro — Côte d’Ivoire — Yamoussoukro District
- Yenagoa — Nigeria — Bayelsa State
- Yola — Nigeria — Adamawa State
- Yendi — Ghana — Northern Region
- Yambio — South Sudan — Western Equatoria
- Yei — South Sudan — Central Equatoria
- Yagoua — Cameroon — Far North Region
- Yamoussoukro — Côte d’Ivoire — Yamoussoukro District
- Youssoufia — Morocco — Marrakech-Safi
- Yirga Alem — Ethiopia — Sidama Region
- Yumbe — Uganda — West Nile sub-region
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Yaoundé is the capital of Cameroon and one of Africa’s major cities beginning with Y. It is located in the country’s central region and serves as an important political and administrative center.
Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire
Yamoussoukro is the political capital of Côte d’Ivoire. Although Abidjan is the country’s largest economic center, Yamoussoukro has an important constitutional and governmental role.
Cities Starting With Y in Australia and Oceania
Australia has a useful group of Y-starting urban names, including Yeppoon, Yass, Young, Yarraville, and Yeronga. New Zealand has no commonly recognized city beginning with Y in the referenced city database, so Australia supplies most of the region’s familiar answers.
- Yarraville — Australia — Victoria
- Yeppoon — Australia — Queensland
- Yass — Australia — New South Wales
- Young — Australia — New South Wales
- Yarrawonga — Australia — Victoria
- Yeronga — Australia — Queensland
- Yokine — Australia — Western Australia
- Yangebup — Australia — Western Australia
- Yanchep — Australia — Western Australia
- Yarrabilba — Australia — Queensland
Australia’s Y-starting places vary considerably in size and administrative status. Some are suburbs or localities rather than incorporated cities, so it is worth checking the definition being used when answering a strict geography question.
Smaller or Lesser-Known Cities Starting With Y
Not every Y city is a major metropolitan area. Many smaller cities and settlements appear in worldwide city databases and can be excellent choices for word games when the obvious answers have already been used.
- Yate — United Kingdom — England
- Yeadon — United States — Pennsylvania
- Yreka — United States — California
- Yucaipa — United States — California
- Yuba City — United States — California
- Yucaipa — United States — California
- Yevlakh — Azerbaijan
- Yendi — Ghana
- Yalova — Turkey
- Yambol — Bulgaria
- Yverdon-les-Bains — Switzerland
- Yerseke — Netherlands
- Ypres — Belgium
- Yarim — Yemen
- Yacuiba — Bolivia — Tarija Department
- Yaritagua — Venezuela — Yaracuy
- Yopal — Colombia — Casanare
- Yumbo — Colombia — Valle del Cauca
- Yerba Buena — Argentina — Tucumán Province
- Yurimaguas — Peru — Loreto Region
- Yacuarembó — Uruguay
Interesting Facts About Cities Starting With Y
Cities starting with Y can be found across different countries, each with its own unique history and culture.
From bustling urban centers to charming historic towns, these cities offer plenty of interesting stories and traditions.
- Yangon is one of the largest Y cities. It ranks above other major Y-starting cities such as Yokohama and Yaoundé in the population data used by World Population Review.
- Yokohama is a major Japanese city. It is located in Kanagawa Prefecture and forms part of the enormous urban region surrounding Tokyo.
- Yaoundé is a capital city. Cameroon chose Yaoundé as its political and administrative capital, making it one of the most important African cities beginning with Y.
- Yerevan is an ancient capital. Armenia’s capital has a history stretching back thousands of years and is among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban centers.
- Yamoussoukro is Côte d’Ivoire’s political capital. Abidjan remains the country’s dominant economic center, but Yamoussoukro holds the official capital status.
- China has many Y cities. Names such as Yantai, Yangzhou, Yinchuan, Yiwu, Yichang, Yibin, and Yueyang make China especially prominent in worldwide Y-city lists.
- Yellowknife is Canada’s famous Y answer. The city is the capital of the Northwest Territories and is well known for northern landscapes and aurora viewing.
- York has a long history. The English city has Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and medieval connections, making it a particularly memorable European city beginning with Y.
- Yogyakarta is a major cultural destination. Located on Indonesia’s island of Java, it is closely associated with Javanese culture, education, art, and historic sites.
- The number of Y cities depends on the definition. A population-focused source identifies 121 cities over 50,000 people, while broader databases list many more smaller settlements.
How Many Cities Start With the Letter Y?
There is no single worldwide number of cities starting with Y because different databases use different definitions of “city.” Some include towns, suburbs, districts, municipalities, and localities, while others count only sizable urban areas.
For example, World Population Review currently lists 121 cities beginning with Y that have populations above 50,000. Its list includes major places such as Yangon, Yokohama, Yaoundé, Yantai, Yangzhou, Yinchuan, and Yekaterinburg.
Broader city-name databases contain significantly more entries. One such database lists 171 city names beginning with Y, while another population database contains hundreds of Y-related geographic entries when districts and other administrative units are included.
So, if you are playing a word game, the safest approach is to check the rules first. A game that accepts towns and municipalities will have far more possible answers than one that accepts only officially designated cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What cities start with Y?
Some well-known cities starting with Y include Yangon, Yokohama, Yaoundé, Yerevan, Yogyakarta, Yekaterinburg, Yantai, York, Yamoussoukro, and Yellowknife.
2. What is a famous city that starts with Y?
Yangon is one of the most famous and largest cities beginning with Y. Other highly recognizable examples include Yokohama, Yerevan, York, and Yogyakarta.
3. What cities in the USA start with Y?
American examples include Yakima, Yankton, Yazoo City, Yonkers, York, Youngstown, Ypsilanti, Yreka, Yuba City, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley, and Yuma.
4. Are there any cities in Europe that start with Y?
Yes. European examples include York, Yerevan, Yaroslavl, Yekaterinburg, Yalta, Yevpatoria, Yelets, Yeovil, Yecla, Ystad, and Yverdon-les-Bains.
5. What countries have cities beginning with Y?
Cities beginning with Y can be found in countries including Myanmar, Japan, China, Armenia, Cameroon, Russia, Indonesia, Iran, India, South Korea, Thailand, the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey, Spain, France, Sweden, and many others.
6. What is the largest city starting with Y?
Based on the population data used by World Population Review, Yangon, Myanmar, is the largest city beginning with Y, with a listed population of more than 4.5 million.
7. What are some unique city names starting with Y?
Some distinctive examples include Yamoussoukro, Yevpatoria, Yverdon-les-Bains, Yogyakarta, Yoshkar-Ola, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Ypsilanti, and Yellowknife. These names are especially useful when you want less obvious answers in a geography quiz or word game.
Conclusion
There are far more cities starting with Y than you might expect. From the enormous Asian cities of Yangon and Yokohama to historic York, ancient Yerevan, cultural Yogyakarta, and northern Yellowknife, the letter Y appears in city names across many continents.
China provides a particularly large collection of Y-starting cities, while the United States, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Australia, and several European and African countries add many more options.
Whether you need a city for a geography assignment, classroom activity, crossword, trivia challenge, or word game, this list gives you plenty of strong answers. If you need the easiest choices to remember, start with Yangon, Yokohama, Yaoundé, Yerevan, York, Yogyakarta, Yuma, Yakima, Yellowknife, and Yamoussoukro.
