Yuri, derived from the Latin name Yria, meaning "farmer" or "earth worker," is of Slavic origin and holds significance across various cultures. In Russia, Yuri is a popular given name for males, often used interchangeably with George in other countries. It has been favored by several notable figures throughout history, such as Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into outer space, and Yuri Andropov, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
The name Yuri has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable peak in recent times. From 1961 to 1994, the number of annual births named Yuri ranged between 9 and 44, with an average of around 30 births per year. However, starting from 1995, there's a clear increase in popularity, with an average of about 45 births per year up until 2023. The highest number of births recorded for the name Yuri was in 2017 and 2022, with 85 and 93 births respectively. Overall, since 1961, there have been a total of 2275 births registered as Yuri.