Ryu
Every Ryu since 1985 — 1,690 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ryu
Ryu is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,352 in 2025 with 59 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1985, 1,690 American babies have been named Ryu. Its peak came in 2012, when 130 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ryu stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ryu year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 59 | #2,352 |
| 2024 | — | — | 127 | #1,435 |
| 2023 | — | — | 75 | #2,028 |
| 2022 | 5 | #17,313 | 73 | #2,077 |
| 2021 | — | — | 77 | #1,955 |
| 2020 | — | — | 72 | #1,992 |
| 2019 | — | — | 68 | #2,127 |
| 2018 | — | — | 54 | #2,439 |
| 2017 | — | — | 76 | #1,911 |
| 2016 | — | — | 72 | #2,005 |
| 2015 | — | — | 56 | #2,347 |
| 2014 | — | — | 73 | #1,975 |
| 2013 | — | — | 76 | #1,875 |
| 2012 | — | — | 130 | #1,320 |
| 2011 | — | — | 73 | #1,919 |
| 2010 | — | — | 63 | #2,139 |
| 2009 | — | — | 61 | #2,197 |
| 2008 | — | — | 53 | #2,427 |
| 2007 | — | — | 53 | #2,433 |
| 2006 | — | — | 43 | #2,729 |
| 2005 | — | — | 32 | #3,223 |
| 2004 | — | — | 26 | #3,617 |
| 2003 | — | — | 27 | #3,428 |
| 2002 | — | — | 23 | #3,758 |
| 2001 | — | — | 19 | #4,264 |
| 2000 | — | — | 35 | #2,667 |
| 1995 | — | — | 9 | #6,317 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | 5 | #7,383 |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Ryu
- Ryu Gwansun Social activist · 1902–1920
- Ryu Jun-yeol Actor · b. 1986
- Ryu Seung-min Table tennis player · b. 1982
- Ryu Hwa-young Actor · b. 1993
- Ryu Seung-woo Soccer player · b. 1993
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ryu in 2025?
Ryu ranked #2,352 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 59 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ryu?
1,690 babies have been named Ryu in the United States since 1985, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ryu most popular?
Ryu peaked in 2012, when 130 newborns received the name.
Is Ryu a boy or girl name?
Ryu is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ryu rising or falling?
Ryu is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ryu?
Well-known people named Ryu include Ryu Gwansun (social activist), Ryu Jun-yeol (actor), Ryu Seung-min (table tennis player).