What Does the Name Ylva Mean?
Ylva is a girl's name of Scandinavian (Old Norse) origin meaning “she-wolf.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Ylva |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Scandinavian (Old Norse) |
| Meaning | she-wolf |
| Variants | Ulva, Ylve, Ulla |
| Popularity | Most common in Sweden and Norway; revived through Romantic-era and modern interest in Norse names. |
The meaning and origin of Ylva
The name Ylva means “she-wolf” and has Scandinavian (Old Norse) origins. From Old Norse, the feminine form of ulfr 'wolf', hence 'she-wolf'. The female counterpart to the male name Ulf.
Variants and related names
Ylva is related to several other names you may recognize: Ulva, Ylve, Ulla. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Ylva?
Most common in Sweden and Norway; revived through Romantic-era and modern interest in Norse names.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ylva mean?+
The name Ylva means “she-wolf” and is of Scandinavian (Old Norse) origin.
What is the origin of the name Ylva?+
Ylva originates from Scandinavian (Old Norse).
Is Ylva a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Ylva has trended in the US over time.
Ylva by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press