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Yu 優 – Japanese girl given name
Yu (優) is read ゆう and has 2 syllables. It is mostly used for girls. Written as 優, the characters mean: tenderness. This reading can be written with at least 110 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 10 to 17 strokes in total.
About the name Yu
Yu (優, 結 or 悠) is a one-syllable name meaning gentle, tie or calm. It works for boys and girls.
How to write Yu in Japanese
| Kanji | Reading | Literal meaning | Strokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 優 | ゆう | tenderness | 17 |
| 結 | ゆう | tie | 12 |
| 悠 | ゆう | permanence | 11 |
| 結生 | ゆう | tie + life | 17 |
| 有生 | ゆう | possess + life | 11 |
| 由生 | ゆう | wherefore + life | 10 |
Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.
The kanji in Yu
Yu in different scripts
| Romaji | Yu |
|---|---|
| Hiragana | ゆう |
| Katakana | ユウ |
| Kanji (most common) | 優 |
Full name examples
- Yu Yuki (Japanese order: 結城優, ゆうき ゆう)
- Yu Kono (Japanese order: 河野優, こうの ゆう)
- Yu Maki (Japanese order: 牧優, まき ゆう)
How to pronounce Yu
Break it into 1 parts: yu. 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 ゆう.
Questions about Yu
What does Yu mean in Japanese?
Yu has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 優, combines these meanings: tenderness. Other spellings include 結 (tie), 悠 (permanence), 結生 (tie + life).
How do you write Yu in kanji?
The most common way is 優 (ゆう). It can also be written 結, 悠, 結生, 有生, 由生.
How do you write Yu in katakana?
Yu is ユウ in katakana and ゆう in hiragana.
Is Yu a boy or girl name?
Yu is mostly used for girls.
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Other names that use 優
優: tenderness, excel, surpass
Name data: JMnedict and KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Filtered, regrouped and annotated by NihonNames.