Yu
Synonym of Yuu; A unisex given name from Japanese.
Every Yu since 1969 — 830 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Yu
Yu is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,892 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1969, 830 American babies have been named Yu — about 54% boys and 46% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2007, when 35 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Yu stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Yu 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 | — | — | 9 | #8,892 |
| 2024 | 6 | #15,220 | 5 | #14,217 |
| 2023 | — | — | 6 | #12,205 |
| 2022 | — | — | 11 | #7,750 |
| 2021 | — | — | 10 | #8,139 |
| 2020 | — | — | 11 | #7,483 |
| 2019 | — | — | 10 | #8,197 |
| 2018 | — | — | 11 | #7,602 |
| 2017 | 9 | #11,594 | 7 | #10,740 |
| 2016 | 6 | #16,166 | 11 | #7,591 |
| 2015 | — | — | 9 | #8,723 |
| 2014 | 5 | #19,137 | 8 | #9,610 |
| 2013 | 8 | #13,108 | 10 | #8,094 |
| 2012 | 10 | #11,222 | 9 | #8,846 |
| 2011 | 6 | #16,699 | 6 | #12,246 |
| 2010 | 9 | #12,247 | 7 | #10,736 |
| 2009 | 8 | #13,670 | 6 | #12,453 |
| 2008 | — | — | 7 | #11,008 |
| 2007 | 23 | #6,079 | 12 | #7,071 |
| 2006 | 14 | #8,706 | 13 | #6,451 |
| 2005 | 19 | #6,525 | 9 | #8,279 |
| 2004 | 14 | #8,246 | 12 | #6,508 |
| 2003 | 14 | #7,990 | 14 | #5,549 |
| 2002 | 17 | #6,690 | 17 | #4,700 |
| 2001 | 12 | #8,741 | 6 | #10,534 |
| 2000 | 11 | #9,154 | 13 | #5,577 |
| 1995 | 12 | #7,505 | 9 | #6,398 |
| 1990 | 16 | #5,834 | 13 | #4,403 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7,552 | 12 | #3,801 |
| 1980 | 7 | #9,089 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Yu
- Yu the Great Politician · -2123–-2055
- Yu Jin Military personnel · 200–221
- Yu Kil-chun Writer · 1856–1914
- Yu Hua Writer · b. 1960
- Yu Rongguang Actor · b. 1958
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yu mean?
Synonym of Yuu; A unisex given name from Japanese.
How popular is the name Yu in 2025?
Yu ranked #8,892 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Yu?
830 babies have been named Yu in the United States since 1969, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Yu most popular?
Yu peaked in 2007, when 35 newborns received the name.
Is Yu a boy or girl name?
Yu is used for both: about 46% of babies named Yu have been girls and 54% boys.
Is the name Yu rising or falling?
Yu is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Yu?
Well-known people named Yu include Yu the Great (politician), Yu Jin (military personnel), Yu Kil-chun (writer).