Rising since 1991, #2,332 for boys today.
Popularity of Ryu since 1985
Babies named Ryu per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ryu's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 12 |
| 1990s | 77 |
| 2000s | 372 |
| 2010s | 741 |
| 2020s | 483 |
Meaning & origin
Ryu first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1985 and has been rising in popularity since 1991. In 2025 it ranked 2,332, with a peak in 2024. The name gained cultural visibility through the Street Fighter video game franchise, where the main protagonist is named Ryu. It is most common in California and Texas. Despite its Japanese origin, Ryu's use in the U.S. remains rare, with an incidence of 1 in 28,950 boys in 2025, reflecting niche appeal rather than mainstream adoption.
Ryu is a Japanese name that can be written with various kanji, most commonly 龍 or 竜 meaning 'dragon'. In Japanese culture, the dragon is a mythological creature associated with power, strength, and good fortune. The name became widely recognized outside Japan through the video game character Ryu from the Street Fighter series, first appearing in 1987. While its use as a given name in Japan is uncommon, it has seen occasional usage in Western countries, particularly among fans of Japanese culture.
Where Ryu is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ryu” around the world
Where Ryu lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Ryu
Names that share Ryu's style, for a brother or sister.
