Yair

Yair is a Hebrew form related to Jair, with the meaning “he shines.” The name has biblical connections and represents a different way of writing the same older name in the Roman alphabet. The y helps indicate an opening sound that English readers may not expect from the j in Jair.

Its short written form can still contain two distinct vowel sounds, so it need not rhyme with a one-syllable English word such as hair. Jair is the closest comparison when considering spelling or an existing family name. Yair keeps the Hebrew form more visible while retaining the same light-related meaning, without borrowing a definition from another similar-sounding name.