US States That Start With Y (2026)

When people search for US states that start with Y, they are often surprised by the answer. Whether you’re playing a trivia game, solving a crossword puzzle, helping a child with geography homework, or simply satisfying your curiosity, it’s useful to know which U.S. states begin with each letter of the alphabet.

The short answer is simple:

There are no U.S. states that start with the letter Y.

Although the United States has 50 states with names beginning with letters like A, C, M, N, T, and W, none of them starts with the letter Y.

In this guide, we’ll explain why there are no U.S. states beginning with Y, explore places in America that do start with Y, look at the history behind state names, and answer frequently asked questions.

Why Are There No US States That Start With Y?

The United States consists of 50 officially recognized states, and none of their names begins with the letter Y.

This is simply the result of historical naming traditions. State names were influenced by:

Native American languages
Spanish explorers
French explorers
English settlers
Dutch colonists
Royal families
Geographic landmarks
Religious figures

Since none of these naming traditions produced a state beginning with “Y,” the alphabet letter remains unused among state names.

Complete List of All 50 US States (Alphabetically)

Here’s the full alphabetical list of U.S. states:

State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

As you can see, no state starts with Y.

Why Do People Think There Might Be a State Starting With Y?

Many people assume there must be a state beginning with every letter of the alphabet.

This misconception comes from:

Geography quizzes
Alphabet learning activities
Crossword puzzles
Trivia games
School assignments

Since many countries and cities begin with Y, people naturally expect at least one U.S. state to do the same.

US Places That Start With Y

Although there are no states beginning with Y, many American cities, towns, and communities do.

Some examples include:

York, Pennsylvania
Yorktown, Virginia
Yukon, Oklahoma
Yakima, Washington
Yuma, Arizona
Yorba Linda, California
Yates Center, Kansas
Youngstown, Ohio
Yemassee, South Carolina
Yazoo City, Mississippi

These locations are often mistaken for states because some are well-known cities.

The Most Famous Place Starting With Y: Yuma, Arizona

One of America’s best-known “Y” locations is Yuma, Arizona.

Yuma is famous for:

Warm desert climate
Colorado River
Agriculture
Historic downtown
Military installations
Outdoor recreation

It is among the sunniest cities in the world and attracts many winter visitors.

Yakima, Washington

Another notable location is Yakima, Washington.

Yakima is widely recognized for:

Apple production
Wine industry
Hop farming
Outdoor adventures
Scenic mountain views

It plays an important role in America’s agricultural economy.

York, Pennsylvania

York is one of America’s oldest historic cities.

Highlights include:

Colonial history
Manufacturing heritage
Historical museums
Beautiful downtown district
Annual festivals

York briefly served as the nation’s capital during the American Revolutionary War.

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown has a rich industrial history.

The city is known for:

Steel manufacturing
Historic architecture
Universities
Parks
Cultural attractions

Today, it continues to reinvent itself through education, healthcare, and technology.

Yukon, Oklahoma

Despite its name, Yukon is a city—not a territory or state.

Yukon is famous for:

Czech heritage
Festivals
Family-friendly neighborhoods
Historic Route 66
Local museums

Which Letters Are Missing From US State Names?

Only a few letters are not represented as the first letter of any U.S. state.

These include:

This makes Y one of several letters never used at the beginning of a state’s name.

The Only US State Beginning With W

Many people confuse Wyoming with a Y state because its second letter is Y.

However, Wyoming begins with W, making it:

The least populous U.S. state
Home to Yellowstone National Park (partially)
Rich in wildlife
Known for mountain scenery

States With Y in Their Names

Although no state starts with Y, several contain the letter Y.

Examples include:

Kentucky
Maryland
New York
Wyoming

The letter Y appears in numerous state names even though it never appears as the first letter.

The Origins of American State Names

State names come from many different sources.

Common origins include:

Native American

Examples:

Ohio
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Iowa

Spanish

Examples:

California
Colorado
Florida
Nevada

English

Examples:

New Hampshire
New Jersey
Virginia

French

Examples:

Louisiana
Vermont

These naming traditions explain why certain letters became common while others never appeared.

Are There Any US Territories Starting With Y?

No.

Current U.S. territories include:

Puerto Rico
Guam
American Samoa
U.S. Virgin Islands
Northern Mariana Islands

None begins with the letter Y.

Fun Facts About the Letter Y in American Geography

Here are some interesting facts:

No U.S. state begins with Y.
Numerous cities begin with Y.
Many counties start with Y.
Several rivers have Y names.
The letter Y appears inside many state names.
Wyoming is often mistaken for a Y state.
Yuma and Yakima are among America’s best-known Y cities.

Why Geography Quizzes Include This Question

The question “What U.S. state starts with Y?” is popular because it tricks many people.

It’s commonly found in:

School quizzes
Trivia competitions
Online puzzles
Geography games
Crossword puzzles

The correct response is always:

There isn’t one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a U.S. state that starts with Y?

No. None of the 50 U.S. states begins with the letter Y.

Why doesn’t any state begin with Y?

State names originated from historical languages and naming traditions that simply never produced a state beginning with Y.

Does Wyoming count?

No. Wyoming starts with W, not Y.

Which American city starts with Y?

Examples include:

Yuma
Yakima
York
Youngstown
Yukon
Yorba Linda

Are there countries beginning with Y?

Yes. Yemen is one example.

Is Yellowstone a state?

No.

Yellowstone is a national park located mainly in Wyoming, with parts extending into Montana and Idaho.

Which letters do not start any U.S. state?

The unused initial letters are:

Comparison Table

Feature	US States Starting With Y	US Cities Starting With Y
Number	0	Many
Official Status	None	Hundreds of incorporated places and communities
Examples	None	Yuma, Yakima, York, Youngstown, Yukon
Common Confusion	Wyoming (starts with W)	Often mistaken for states
Trivia Value	High	High
Geographic Coverage	Not applicable	Found across multiple states
Used in Geography Quizzes	Frequently	Frequently
Alphabet Letter	Y	Y

US States That Start With X

Conclusion

If you’ve been wondering whether there are any US states that start with Y, the answer is definitive: none of the 50 U.S. states begins with the letter Y.

While the letter Y is absent from the beginning of every state name, it is still well represented across the United States through cities, towns, counties, and landmarks such as Yuma, Yakima, York, Youngstown, and Yukon. This makes Y an interesting exception in American geography and a favorite topic in trivia and educational quizzes.

Whether you’re researching state names, preparing for a geography test, or writing about the U.S. alphabetically, remembering that there are no U.S. states starting with Y will help you answer the question with confidence.