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Yvaine

♀ Girl

Pronounced ih-VAYN /ɪˈveɪn/Medium

Meaning: Yvaine is best known as the name of the fallen star in Neil Gaiman's novel Stardust and the film made from it — the source of nearly all modern use. The form looks coined on the lines of French Yvette and Yvonne (from an element meaning 'yew'), and it also recalls the Arthurian Yvain. No settled etymology exists for Yvaine itself. Routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: Yvaine is the fallen star of Neil Gaiman's Stardust — a literary name (said 'ih-VAYN'). Its own routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish, French

MeaningYvaine is best known as the name of the fallen star in Neil Gaiman's novel Stardust and the film made from it — the source of nearly all modern use. The form looks coined on the lines of French Yvette and Yvonne (from an element meaning 'yew'), and it also recalls the Arthurian Yvain. No settled etymology exists for Yvaine itself. Routes uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#17580 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 183

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Yvaine owes its life to fiction. In Neil Gaiman's Stardust she is a star who falls to earth, and the novel and film carried the name to readers. The form looks built on the French Yvette/Yvonne pattern, and it brushes against the Arthurian Yvain, but no settled etymology stands behind it. Routes uncertain (said 'ih-VAYN').

It is very rare for girls in the U.S. Literary, starlit, and unusual.

Did you know? Yvaine belongs to a star: she is the fallen star at the heart of Neil Gaiman's Stardust, and the story is the reason the name exists in nurseries at all. Its own etymology is unsettled, which we note (said 'ih-VAYN').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Yvaine — Neil Gaiman's Stardust; Yvette/Yvonne pattern; Arthurian Yvain echo; routes uncertain

Variations

YvainYvayneIvaine

Nicknames

VaineYvieVay

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Yvaine…

Yvette— the French name its form echoes

Yvonne— a like Yv- opening pick

Elowen— a like literary, otherworldly choice

Seren— a like star-linked name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Yvaine mean?

Yvaine is a literary name — the fallen star in Neil Gaiman's Stardust. Its own etymology is unsettled, so we note the routes as uncertain.

How do you pronounce Yvaine?

It's said ih-VAYN /ɪˈveɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Yvaine a boy or girl name?

Yvaine is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Yvaine?

Yvaine is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.