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26,551 first names, 70,620 last names, 333,585 kanji variations.
one of the best Japanese name search tools for your baby!
Ru-kun(るうくん)
Ru-tan(るうたん)
Ru-chan(るうちゃん)![]()
This name is considered unisex, but it's more commonly used for girls.
See the girls' version here.
In Japanese culture, kanji are characters that originated from Chinese script, and the meaning of a name changes depending on the kanji characters chosen. The more variations of kanji a name has, the more common it is in Japan. Conversely, a name with very few kanji variations is considered unique and rare. Below are the kanji variations for "Ruu," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.
流 means "flow, current, style."
Current - A body of moving water.
Counting - A way of counting flags or brooms.
Exile - To exile as a punishment, to send away to a distant place.
Fellowship - Companions, bloodline, same kind.
Spread - To spread, to disseminate, to pass on.
Status - Quality, class, rank, social standing.
Stream - A stream, a flowing river, a changing state.
Unfounded - Something without basis, something done carelessly, something uncertain.
Flow - Flowing represents natural movement, ease, and going with life's currents. May your child flow through life with natural grace.
Current - The current represents moving forward, flowing energy, and the power of momentum. May your child ride life's currents wisely.
Style - Style - A Manner; a school of thought - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of style throughout life.
Counting - Noble titles carry both honor and responsibility to serve others. May your child carry themselves with dignity and serve others honorably.
Exile - Places hold meaning, memory, and the context for our lives. May your child find their place in the world and make it better.
Fellowship - Fellowship - Companions, bloodline, same kind - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of fellowship throughout life.
Spread - Spreading represents sharing, expansion, and the dissemination of good. May your child spread kindness and knowledge wherever they go.
Status - Noble titles carry both honor and responsibility to serve others. May your child carry themselves with dignity and serve others honorably.
Stream - Streams represent freshness, the beginning of journeys, and the purity of mountain springs. May your child carry the freshness of a mountain stream, pure of heart and full of life.
Unfounded - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
琉 means "lapis lazuli, ryukyu."
Lapis Lazuli - Lapis lazuli represents the night sky, truth, and royal wisdom in many ancient cultures. May your child possess lapis lazuli's depth, embodying truth and royal wisdom.
Ryukyu - Earth represents stability, nurturing, and solid foundation. May your child stand on solid ground with deep roots.
宇 means "universe, roof, house."
Spirit, Intelligence - Spirit or intelligence, representing a person's capacity for thought and understanding.
Universe - Universe represents the totality of existence, cosmic order, and ultimate reality. May your child understand their place in the universe, connected to all that exists.
Roof - Roof - The Eaves; a covering - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of roof throughout life.
House - House represents shelter, protection, and the physical space of family life. May your child always have a house to shelter them, sturdy and welcoming.
Capacity - Capacity - Mental Breadth; magnanimity - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of capacity throughout life.
Spirit, Intelligence - Spirit represents the immortal essence, energy, and the divine spark within. May your child's spirit burn brightly, their divine spark illuminating the world.
琉 means "lapis lazuli, ryukyu."
Lapis Lazuli - Lapis lazuli represents the night sky, truth, and royal wisdom in many ancient cultures. May your child possess lapis lazuli's depth, embodying truth and royal wisdom.
Ryukyu - Earth represents stability, nurturing, and solid foundation. May your child stand on solid ground with deep roots.
有 means "have, exist, furthermore."
Exist - To be; to occur.
Furthermore - In Addition; moreover.
Maintain - To keep something in a certain state or condition.
Possess - To have or own something.
Have - Having represents possession, gratitude, and appreciating what one holds. May your child have enough, and appreciate all they have with gratitude.
Exist - Existing represents being, presence, and the gift of life. May your child exist with purpose and meaning.
Furthermore - Furthermore - In Addition; moreover - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of furthermore throughout life.
Maintain - Maintaining represents preservation, care, and steady attention. May your child maintain what is good and care for what matters.
Possess - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
琉 means "lapis lazuli, ryukyu."
Lapis Lazuli - Lapis lazuli represents the night sky, truth, and royal wisdom in many ancient cultures. May your child possess lapis lazuli's depth, embodying truth and royal wisdom.
Ryukyu - Earth represents stability, nurturing, and solid foundation. May your child stand on solid ground with deep roots.
生 means "to live, alive, life."
To Give Birth - To be Born; to produce; to create; to occur.
Raw - Unprocessed; unripe; inexperienced.
Scholar - A title for learned people; teacher.
To Give Birth - Birth represents new beginnings, potential, and the miracle of new life. May your child bring new beginnings wherever they go, birthing fresh possibilities.
To Grow - Growing represents continuous improvement, development, and reaching potential. May your child never stop growing, always reaching toward greater potential.
To Reside - The act of reside represents purposeful action and the will to make a difference. May your child reside with wisdom and purpose, making a positive difference in the world.
Alive - Being alive represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be alive, letting this quality guide their path.
Life - Life is the precious gift, the journey of experiences that shapes who we become. May your child live fully, treasuring every moment of this precious gift.
Humble Self - Humility is the foundation of learning and the source of true greatness. May your child be humble, knowing that humility opens the door to wisdom.
Innate - Innate - From Birth; natural disposition - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of innate throughout life.
Opera Role - Historical periods remind us to learn from the past while building the future. May your child appreciate history and contribute to their own era.
Pure - Purity represents cleanliness of heart, clarity of intent, and freedom from corruption. May your child remain pure in heart and intention, uncorrupted by the world.
Raw - Raw - Unprocessed; unripe; inexperienced - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of raw throughout life.
Scholar - Scholars dedicate themselves to learning and the preservation of knowledge. May your child embrace learning with passion and share knowledge generously.
Student - Student - One who learns; a pupil - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of student throughout life.
琉 means "lapis lazuli, ryukyu."
Lapis Lazuli - Lapis lazuli represents the night sky, truth, and royal wisdom in many ancient cultures. May your child possess lapis lazuli's depth, embodying truth and royal wisdom.
Ryukyu - Earth represents stability, nurturing, and solid foundation. May your child stand on solid ground with deep roots.
羽 means "feather, bird, ornament."
Ornament - A decorative item held while dancing.
Help - Something that provides assistance. An assistant.
Numeral - A numeral used to count birds or rabbits.
Feather - Feather represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the feather's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Counter for Birds - Birds symbolize freedom, aspiration, and the soul's journey between heaven and earth. May your child soar freely like a bird, carrying messages of hope between heaven and earth.
Ornament - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Help - Helping represents service, assistance, and making others' lives better. May your child help generously and receive help graciously.
Numeral - Being numeral represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be numeral, letting this quality guide their path.
Support - Supporting represents help, foundation, and being there for others. May your child support others and receive support when needed.
瑠 means "lapis lazuli."
侑 means "encourage, assist, offer."
Offer - To present food or drink.
Forgive - To pardon or excuse a fault or offense.
Help - To provide protection or assistance.
Recommend - To suggest or offer something, such as a dish or drink.
Reward - To express gratitude or appreciation.
Encourage - Encouraging represents support, motivation, and lifting others up. May your child encourage others, spreading confidence and hope.
Assist - Assist represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the assist's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Offer - Offering represents generosity, service, and giving of oneself. May your child offer their gifts generously to the world.
Forgive - Forgiveness represents freedom, healing, and the release from resentment. May your child forgive freely, finding freedom and healing in release.
Help - Helping represents service, assistance, and making others' lives better. May your child help generously and receive help graciously.
Recommend - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Reward - Reward - To express gratitude or appreciation - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of reward throughout life.
瑠 means "lapis lazuli."
生 means "to live, alive, life."
To Give Birth - To be Born; to produce; to create; to occur.
Raw - Unprocessed; unripe; inexperienced.
Scholar - A title for learned people; teacher.
To Give Birth - Birth represents new beginnings, potential, and the miracle of new life. May your child bring new beginnings wherever they go, birthing fresh possibilities.
To Grow - Growing represents continuous improvement, development, and reaching potential. May your child never stop growing, always reaching toward greater potential.
To Reside - The act of reside represents purposeful action and the will to make a difference. May your child reside with wisdom and purpose, making a positive difference in the world.
Alive - Being alive represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be alive, letting this quality guide their path.
Life - Life is the precious gift, the journey of experiences that shapes who we become. May your child live fully, treasuring every moment of this precious gift.
Humble Self - Humility is the foundation of learning and the source of true greatness. May your child be humble, knowing that humility opens the door to wisdom.
Innate - Innate - From Birth; natural disposition - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of innate throughout life.
Opera Role - Historical periods remind us to learn from the past while building the future. May your child appreciate history and contribute to their own era.
Pure - Purity represents cleanliness of heart, clarity of intent, and freedom from corruption. May your child remain pure in heart and intention, uncorrupted by the world.
Raw - Raw - Unprocessed; unripe; inexperienced - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of raw throughout life.
Scholar - Scholars dedicate themselves to learning and the preservation of knowledge. May your child embrace learning with passion and share knowledge generously.
Student - Student - One who learns; a pupil - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of student throughout life.
瑠 means "lapis lazuli."
羽 means "feather, bird, ornament."
Ornament - A decorative item held while dancing.
Help - Something that provides assistance. An assistant.
Numeral - A numeral used to count birds or rabbits.
Feather - Feather represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the feather's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Counter for Birds - Birds symbolize freedom, aspiration, and the soul's journey between heaven and earth. May your child soar freely like a bird, carrying messages of hope between heaven and earth.
Ornament - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Help - Helping represents service, assistance, and making others' lives better. May your child help generously and receive help graciously.
Numeral - Being numeral represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be numeral, letting this quality guide their path.
Support - Supporting represents help, foundation, and being there for others. May your child support others and receive support when needed.
Names that have the same gender and start with R.
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Here are some sample tags. Choose 'English word meanings' and try searching for any English word you like!
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Sorts names by how closely they match your search meaning. Names containing more kanji that match your search terms appear higher in the results.
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Sorts names by how many different kanji spellings they have. In general, names with more variants tend to be more familiar and widespread in Japan (with some exceptions).
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Sorts names by page views on this site. Views reflect global traffic (including Japan), so this does not represent popularity among Japanese people only. A high view count does not necessarily mean the name is famous in Japan.
What is Hiragana?
Hiragana is one of the two Japanese syllabaries. Each character represents a sound (mora), not a meaning. It is used for native words, grammatical particles, verb/adjective endings (okurigana), and to show pronunciation above kanji (furigana). It developed from cursive forms of kanji.
What is Katakana?
Katakana is one of the two Japanese syllabaries. Each character represents a sound (mora), not a meaning. It is mainly used to write foreign words and names, loanwords, onomatopoeia, and for emphasis.
What are English Syllables?
A syllable is a unit of pronunciation in English — it’s the beat you hear when you say a word.
Here are a few quick examples:
cat = 1 syllable
ba-by = 2 syllables
beau-ti-ful = 3 syllables
On this site, English Syllables show how a name naturally breaks into sounds when spoken in English. This helps you understand how English speakers naturally say the name and where they pause between sounds.
What are Japanese Morae?
A mora (plural: morae, Japanese: 拍 Haku) is the basic unit of sound in Japanese — think of it as one rhythmic “beat” when speaking.
Here are a few quick examples:
あ (a) = 1 mora
あい (a-i) = 2 morae
きょう (kyo-u) = 2 morae
On this site, Japanese Morae show how many “beats” a name has in Japanese. Most Japanese names have about 2–4 morae, which affects how natural and rhythmic the name sounds to native speakers.
This helps you see how the name fits into the natural rhythm of Japanese speech.
What is English Transcription?
“English transcription” (romanization) is the romanized form of a Japanese name, intended to reproduce its pronunciation as closely as possible. It is also useful for searching names on this site.
Japanese-Style Nicknames
In Japan, nicknames are used to express familiarity and affection. Typical features include:
Shortened forms: Names are often shortened for closeness, e.g., “Yuki” from “Yukiko” or “Taka” from “Takashi”.
Suffixes: Terms like “-chan” (often for girls, also for young children) and “-kun” (often for boys) are used among family and close friends. Among very close adults, “-chan” may still be used. More details
Use & context: Nicknames are informal—common among friends, family, or close colleagues—and are not suitable for formal or professional settings. Their use implies a certain degree of intimacy.
Long vowels: The long vowel mark “chōonpu” (ー) extends the preceding vowel. For example, “あーちゃん” (A-chan) lengthens the “あ” sound.
Households
Sorts surnames by the estimated number of Japanese households that use them. More households generally indicates a more common or well-known surname.
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