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Names Ending in U for Boys

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
Boy names ending in U are uncommon and unique.

Beau is the most popular boy name ending with U right now. Along with Beau, the only other boy name that ends with U in the US Top 1000 is Keanu.

Unique boy names that end with the letter U that we see having potential for wider use in the US include the nouveau Cru, the Biblical Esau, the Old Man nickname Lou, and the respelled virtue name Tru.

Here are all Nameberry’s boy names that end with the letter U. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Beau

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "handsome"

    • Description:

      Beau suggests someone devilishly handsome, with a large measure of southern charm—a nice image to bestow on your boy. Often solely a nickname in the past, it's now standing firmly on its own. Beau has been on the Social Security list non-stop since 1969.
  2. Lou

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Louis or Lewis, French and German

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Lou, all by itself, is become fashionable for girls, which usually makes a name LESS fashionable for boys. But Lou, like Bill or Jim, is rarely used on its own for boys anyway. (You wouldn't name a boy Frederick Lou the way that girls are named Mary Lou or, in the case of Keri Russell's new baby, Willa Lou.) Long form Louis is getting cool again and, with the Lewis spelling, is the Number 2 name in Scotland.
  3. Keanu

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "the coolness, or the cool breeze"

    • Description:

      An evocative name brought from Hawaii to the mainland by Keanu Reeves, who was born in Beirut to a part-Hawaiian, part-Chinese father. It moved into the Top 1000 for the first time in over a decade in 2016. Keanu ranks among
  4. Atreyu

    • Origin:

      Literary invention

    • Meaning:

      "son of all"

    • Description:

      German author Michael Ende created the name Atreyu for the protagonist of his 1979 novel The Neverending Story. In the original German translation of the book, the hero was Atréju — Atreyu is the Anglicized variation. Atreyu was orphaned as an infant and raised by his village — his name is said to mean "son of all" in the local language.
  5. Ryu

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "dragon"

    • Description:

      This attractive mini-name combines multiple trends: the R initial, vowel-ending boy names, and a fantastical meaning.
  6. Hoku

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "night of the full moon"

    • Description:

      Like a large proportion of traditional Hawaiian names, Hoku can be used for both girls and boys.
  7. Manu

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Maori, Hawaiian, Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "greatest; bird; wise"

    • Description:

      An international name that, although short and simple, sounds strong and distinctive.

  8. Eliu

    • Description:

      Eliu is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, likely a variant of Elihu, meaning "He is my God" or "My God is He." In the Bible, Elihu appears as a significant character in the Book of Job as the fourth and youngest friend who speaks to Job during his suffering. This simplified spelling variation maintains the original pronunciation while offering a more streamlined appearance. Eliu remains extremely rare in most English-speaking countries, though similar biblical names have seen periodic revivals. The name carries spiritual significance for those familiar with its biblical connections, while its brevity and vowel-rich quality give it a modern, accessible sound despite its ancient origins. Eliu might appeal particularly to parents seeking a name with religious meaning that remains relatively undiscovered and distinctive.

  9. Marceau

    • Origin:

      French variation of Marcel

    • Meaning:

      "little warrior"

    • Description:

      Mime Marcel Marceau actually had two versions of the same name. Marcel, Marceau, Marcella, Marcus, Mark -- all are variation of the Roman mythological name Mars, the god of war.
  10. Cru

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Crew or short form of Cruz or Crusoe

    • Description:

      The short, clipped Cru is one of those modern names that's starting to find favor -- it was given to about 100 boys last year, while Crew has vaulted onto the Top 1000. One inspiration is undoubtedly the Spanish name Cruz, which came to wider attention via the third son of Victoria and David Beckham. Cru has a handsome sound and a modern feel.
  11. Samu

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Spanish, and Hungarian diminutive of Samuel, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "told by God"

    • Description:

      A multicultural nickname for Samuel. The Spanish and Finnish variation is pronounced SAH-moo, while the Hungarian version is SHAW-moo.
  12. Hikaru

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "light or radiance"

    • Description:

      A unisex Japanese name with a beautiful and radiant meaning, it is notably borne by chess prodigy Hikaru Nakamura, and is a central character in the manga series The Summer Hikaru Died.
  13. Riku

    • Description:

      Riku is a Japanese masculine name with a rich cultural background. It typically means 'land' or 'shore,' though depending on the kanji characters used, it can have various interpretations such as 'clever' or 'beneficial.' The name is popular in Japan and has gained some international recognition due to its appearance in video games, particularly the Kingdom Hearts series. Riku is appreciated for its simplicity, pleasing sound, and straightforward pronunciation. It has a modern feel while maintaining traditional Japanese roots. While primarily used for boys, Riku occasionally appears as a unisex name in some contexts.

  14. Samaru

    • Description:

      Samaru is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, it can be interpreted as 'to serve' or 'to protect,' while in some African cultures, particularly in Nigeria, it may be associated with concepts of strength or joy depending on the specific language. The name has a rhythmic, flowing quality with its three syllables and balanced sound. Though uncommon in Western countries, Samaru has modest usage in parts of Africa and occasionally appears in Japanese contexts. The name's multicultural nature makes it appealing for families seeking a distinctive name with international relevance. Samaru projects qualities of service, protection, and joy, depending on the cultural interpretation. Its relatively rare status gives children with this name a unique identity while maintaining a pleasant, pronounceable quality.
  15. Aaru

    • Origin:

      Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful"

    • Description:

      Egyptian mythology place-name with an intriguing sound and appealingly peaceful meaning. Update for Aaron?
  16. Blu

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "blue"

    • Description:

      Blu is a new (nu?) spelling of an increasingly popular color name, also spelled Blue and Bleu. Blu is the spelling used for one of the Waldrop sextuplets.
  17. Elihu

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"

    • Description:

      Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
  18. Dru

    • Description:

      Dru is a masculine name of Welsh origin, derived from the name 'Drew' which means 'wise' or 'manly.' It can also be considered a shortened form of names like Andrew, which comes from the Greek word 'andreios' meaning 'manly' or 'brave.' Dru has a strong yet simple sound, making it appealing for parents seeking a brief, modern name with traditional roots. While less common than Drew, Dru has maintained a steady presence in English-speaking countries, particularly appreciated for its concise nature and distinctive spelling. The name carries a contemporary feel while still connecting to historical naming traditions.
  19. Ulu

    • Description:

      Ulu is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Inuit language, it means 'knife' or refers to their traditional semicircular knife. In Hawaiian, Ulu means 'to grow' or 'breadfruit tree,' symbolizing growth and abundance. The name also appears in Turkish and Nigerian cultures with different meanings. This short, powerful name carries a primordial quality with its two simple syllables. Though uncommon in Western naming practices, Ulu has gained some appreciation among parents seeking names with indigenous connections or minimalist sound patterns. Its brevity and distinctiveness make it memorable, while its cross-cultural presence gives it versatility. Ulu represents a trend toward adopting authentic cultural names with strong meanings and simple pronunciation.
  20. Izuku

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "long exit"

    • Description:

      Famously the name of Izuku Midoriya, the protagonist of the popular anime series My Hero Academia. It is not a common name among Japanese boys.