Ryu
Ryu first appears in US records in 1985. It peaked in 2012, when 130 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 59.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Ryu popular?
Steady Ryu has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 2012.
| 2020s | 483 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 741 | |
| 2000s | 372 | |
| 1990s | 77 | |
| 1980s | 12 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Ryu mean?
From Japanese 龍 / 竜 (ryuu) 'dragon'. Hedge: more often a dragon-bearing element within compound names than a standalone given name, and the same sound is written with other kanji meaning 'noble/prosperous' (隆), 'flow' (流) or 'lapis lazuli' (琉); the dragon meaning applies to the 龍/竜 spelling. Romanized Ryu or Ryuu (the macron/double-u marks a long vowel).
Names like Ryu
japanese names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Ryu
Popular japanese names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Ryu
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ryu mean?
Ryu means dragon. From Japanese 龍 / 竜 (ryuu) 'dragon'. Hedge: more often a dragon-bearing element within compound names than a standalone given name, and the same sound is written with other kanji meaning 'noble/prosperous' (隆), 'flow' (流) or 'lapis lazuli' (琉); the dragon meaning applies to the 龍/竜 spelling. Romanized Ryu or Ryuu (the macron/double-u marks a long vowel).
What is the origin of the name Ryu?
Ryu is of japanese origin.
How do you pronounce Ryu?
Ryu is pronounced “ryoo.”
Is Ryu a boy or a girl name?
Ryu is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Ryu a popular name right now?
Ryu has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 2012.
How popular is the name Ryu?
In 2025, Ryu ranked #2352 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Ryu most popular?
Ryu was most popular in 2012, when about 130 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What names are similar to Ryu?
Names similar to Ryu include Kaito, Sora, Tatsuo, Kenta, Ren.
What names go well with Ryu?
japanese names that pair well with Ryu include Akira, Kenji, Emi, Ren, Nami.