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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Dragon (depending on the kanji, also 'noble' or 'prosperous')
- Origin
- Japanese
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- RYOO
Ryu is a Japanese name for a boy, pronounced RYOO. It means "dragon," and depending on the kanji it can also mean "noble" or "prosperous." It reads as worldly, clean, and modern: short, easy to say, and easy to spell.
Meaning & Origin of Ryu
Meaning: Dragon (depending on the kanji, also 'noble' or 'prosperous').
Origin: Japanese.
How to Pronounce Ryu
RYOOIPA /ˈrjuː/
Popularity of Ryu
In the U.S., Ryu peaked at #1320 in 2012 (130 babies) and ranked #1449 in 2024 (125 babies). That's a small, steady presence, so your child would be unlikely to share the name with a classmate.
Names Like Ryu
These names share Ryu’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Ryu mean?
Dragon (depending on the kanji, also ‘noble’ or ‘prosperous’).
How do you pronounce Ryu?
Ryu is pronounced RYOO (IPA: /ˈrjuː/).
Is Ryu a popular name right now?
Ryu is near its all-time peak (#1320 in 2012), ranked #1449 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1985–2024.)
Make Ryu Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Ryu, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Ryu? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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