Holding steady, #2,641 for boys today.
Popularity of Ryo since 1975
Babies named Ryo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 15 |
| 1980s | 71 |
| 1990s | 194 |
| 2000s | 183 |
| 2010s | 184 |
| 2020s | 180 |
Meaning & origin
Ryo is a Japanese name that entered U.S. records in 1975 and has maintained a steady but rare presence. In the latest year (2025), it ranked 2641, with approximately 1 in 34859 newborns receiving the name. Its peak popularity occurred in 2024, and it remains more common in states with larger Japanese-American populations, such as New York and California. The name's trajectory has been stable since the 2020s, neither surging nor declining. The wide range of kanji meanings gives parents flexibility in selecting a desired connotation, from 'cool' to 'dragon.' While internationally known from figures like artist Ryo Takemasa and musician Ryo Fukui, the name remains rare in English-speaking countries, preserving a distinctive character.
Ryo is a Japanese name that can be written with various kanji characters, each imparting a different meaning. Common choices include 涼 (ryō, meaning cool or refreshing), 遼 (ryō, meaning distant), 竜 (ryō, meaning dragon), and 良 (ryō, meaning good or excellent). It is a unisex name in Japan, though in the U.S. it is predominantly used for boys. The name has been in use in Japan for centuries and gained some international recognition through notable figures in arts and sports.
Where Ryo is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ryo” around the world
Where Ryo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ryou, Ryō
Sibling names for Ryo
Names that share Ryo's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Yuki, Aoi, Sakura, Hana, Miyu, Aiko, Airi, Akira, Ayaka, Emi, Hanako, Inari, Kana, Kaori, Keiko, Kimie, Kiyomi, Kyomi, Megumi, Mirai, Miya, Nami, Rei, Sachiko, Saori, Satori, Sayuri, Suki, Tama, Tomiko, Yumi, Yuna, Yuriko, Aika, Chisa, Hikari, Katana, Masa, Mieko, Misaki, Miyori, Miyuki, Namiko, Nanami, Nari, Nishi, Sachi, Saki, Sanae, Sayaka, Shiori, Sumi, Sumie, Syrai, Tamura, Temari, Yumiko, Yukari, Akaya, Akeira, Asami, Ayano, Eiko, Emika, Fumi, Geisha, Hanya, Hiromi, Ishi, Izumi, Kameko, Kanna, Kasumi, Kimika, Kiori, Manami, Mayu, Miyeko, Momoko, Nao, Oyuki, Reika, Saaya, Sayori, Soo, Sumire, Tanji, Timiko, Yurika
Brothers: Kaito, Haruki, Ren, Sota, Yuto, Aizen, Akari, Aki, Akio, Gohan, Haru, Hiro, Hiroki, Jun, Kaizen, Kei, Kenji, Kenzo, Koji, Kota, Kou, Masaru, Namari, Noboru, Ronin, Sakai, Shun, Tadashi, Tai, Takeo, Takumi, Yoshio, Yu, Haruo, Hayato, Kano, Kanon, Kaoru, Kazuki, Kazuma, Kenichi, Kenshin, Kenta, Kentaro, Kitai, Kyo, Mako, Masato, Meiko, Mitsuo, Naoki, Ryu, Satoshi, Seiji, Sho, Tamon, Taro, Yusuke, Yutaka, Hikaru, Koki, Mitsuru, Akito, Daiki, Daisuke, Goku, Hanzo, Hiroto, Hisashi, Hitoshi, Keisuke, Maiko, Masashi, Morio, Nagi, Renji, Seiya, Shin, Shion, Shogo, Takahiro, Takao, Takuma, Takuya, Tao, Tatsuya, Tetsuo
