Ryu
Ryu is a boy's name of Japanese origin.
Meaning
Dragon; flow.
Origin and history
Ryu is a traditional Japanese masculine name derived from kanji characters meaning 'dragon'. It has seen steadily growing usage in the United States, boosted by pop culture exposure from video games and anime. In recent years, it has become a recognizable choice for parents seeking a modern, energetic short name.
Popularity in the United States
1,685 babies in the United States have been named Ryu since 1880. It ranks #3095 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1453.
States where it is most popular
- CA (58.5 %)
- TX (22.3 %)
- FL (5.5 %)
- MN (2.7 %)
- WA (2.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 12 |
| 1990-2000 | 77 |
| 2000-2010 | 372 |
| 2010-2019 | 741 |
| 2020-2029 | 483 |
Fun facts
- The name gained widespread global recognition as the flagship protagonist of Capcom's Street Fighter video game franchise.
- Depending on the kanji character chosen, Ryu can mean 'dragon' (竜 or 龍) or 'flow/current' (流).