Yogi is a name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "yogin," which means "practitioner of yoga." In Hindu philosophy, yogis are those who have realized self-knowledge through meditation and practice of yoga. The name has gained popularity in the West due to its association with the Beatles' album "The Beatles' Yoga Book" and the popular cartoon character Yogi Bear. However, it is important to note that the name's meaning is unrelated to the cartoon bear and his friend Boo-Boo. Instead, Yogi carries a deep spiritual significance as a name given to those who have attained enlightenment through yoga practice.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Yogi has seen a fluctuating trend of popularity over the past few decades in the United States.
The earliest records show that there were 6 babies named Yogi born in 1953. This number then doubled to 9 births in 1956 before dropping back down to 6 in 1958, and rising again to 8 in 1959. There was a dip in popularity during the early 1960s with only 5 births each year from 1961 to 1962.
There is a significant gap in the records between 1962 and 1989, but when the numbers resume, they show that Yogi was still being chosen as a baby name, with 5 births each year from 1989 to 1994. The late 1990s and early 2000s also saw consistent, albeit low, popularity for the name Yogi, with 5 births per year between 2000 and 2004.
The trend starts to change in 2008 with a slight increase to 5 births that year. This is followed by a significant jump to 13 births in 2010, indicating a growing interest in the name Yogi at that time. The popularity continues to fluctuate over the next decade, reaching its most recent peak in 2023 with 11 births recorded.
In total, there have been 212 babies named Yogi born in the United States since 1953. While the popularity of the name has ebbed and flowed over the years, it is clear that Yogi remains a distinctive and memorable choice for parents seeking an uncommon name for their child.