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Ryu 龍 – Japanese boy given name
Ryu (龍) is read りゅう and has 2 syllables. It is mostly used for boys. Written as 龍, the characters mean: dragon. This reading can be written with at least 10 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 5 to 16 strokes in total.
About the name Ryu
Ryu is written 龍 or 竜, both meaning dragon. In Japan the dragon is linked to water and strength.
How to write Ryu in Japanese
| Kanji | Reading | Literal meaning | Strokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 龍 | りゅう | dragon | 16 |
| 竜 | りゅう | dragon | 10 |
| 琉 | りゅう | precious stone | 11 |
| 立 | りゅう | stand up | 5 |
| 流 | りゅう | current | 10 |
| 留 | りゅう | detain | 10 |
Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.
The kanji in Ryu
Ryu in different scripts
| Romaji | Ryu |
|---|---|
| Hiragana | りゅう |
| Katakana | リュウ |
| Kanji (most common) | 龍 |
Full name examples
- Ryu Yuki (Japanese order: 結城龍, ゆうき りゅう)
- Ryu Kono (Japanese order: 河野龍, こうの りゅう)
- Ryu Maki (Japanese order: 牧龍, まき りゅう)
How to pronounce Ryu
Break it into 1 parts: ryu. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 2 sound units are written りゅう.
Questions about Ryu
What does Ryu mean in Japanese?
Ryu has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 龍, combines these meanings: dragon. Other spellings include 竜 (dragon), 琉 (precious stone), 立 (stand up).
How do you write Ryu in kanji?
The most common way is 龍 (りゅう). It can also be written 竜, 琉, 立, 流, 留.
How do you write Ryu in katakana?
Ryu is リュウ in katakana and りゅう in hiragana.
Is Ryu a boy or girl name?
Ryu is mostly used for boys.
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Name data: JMnedict and KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Filtered, regrouped and annotated by NihonNames.