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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. 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.

  3. Manu

    • Origin:

      Finnish, Maori, Hawaiian, Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "greatest; bird; wise"

    • Description:

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

  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. Ryu

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "dragon"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "aware of emptiness"

    • Description:

      Goku is the name of the protagonist of the popular "Dragon Ball" manga series, which was turned into a live action film. The character of Goku is reportedly based on Sun Wukong, the hero of the Chinese legend Journey to the West.
  9. Esau

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "hairy"

    • Description:

      A once neglected Biblical name, not seen in the US popularity charts since 1902, Esau has been seeing renewed interest in recent years. Appealing perhaps to those looking for alternatives to Elias, Ezra, and Ethan, it was the name of Jacob's twin brother, son of Isaac and Rebecca in the Bible.
  10. 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.
  11. Ozuru

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "big stork"

    • Description:

      Has good vibes via the stork's intimations of longevity.
  12. 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.
  13. Nikau

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "palm tree"

    • Description:

      Nikau is among the most popular Maori names for boys in New Zealand. It sounds like a cousin to Nicholas, but Nikau is actually the name of a palm tree native to the islands.
  14. Tru

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Truman, word name, English

    • Meaning:

      "loyal one; true"

    • Description:

      With its gentle sound but edgy vibe, Tru ticks the boxes for several modern trends: one syllable boy names (see Brooks), alternatively spelled word names (see Chozen), word names with spiritual undertones (see Shepherd), and nickname style choices (see Bo). Currently in the Top 1000 for girls and boys, it is joined in the rankings by Truett and True
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Eliyahu

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"

    • Description:

      Eliyahu is the Hebrew form of the increasingly popular Biblical prophet name Elijah, also found in forms Elias and Eli. There were 100 boys given the name Eliyahu in the U.S. in 2012. Its upside is that it's one of the most distinctive forms of the name, but that final yahoo may prove difficult.
  18. Zeru

    • Origin:

      Basque

    • Meaning:

      "sky"

    • Description:

      English speakers will think you invented this one, but it's a hidden nature name from the Basque country in present-day Spain. Some may find it too close to "zero" for comfort.
  19. Mateu

    • Description:

      Mateu is the Catalan form of Matthew, a name derived from the Hebrew name Mattathia, meaning 'gift of God.' Common in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and other Catalan-speaking regions, Mateu carries the same biblical heritage as its more familiar English equivalent. The name has remained consistently used in Catalan culture throughout history, though it's relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. Mateu has a warm, Mediterranean quality with its distinctive vowel ending, typical of many Catalan and Spanish names. For parents seeking a name with biblical roots but a distinctive international flair, Mateu offers a refined alternative to the more common Matthew while connecting to Catalan linguistic and cultural traditions.
  20. Kru

    • Description:

      Kru is a short, distinctive masculine name with several possible origins. It may derive from the Kru people of West Africa (primarily Liberia and Ivory Coast), representing an ethnic heritage. Alternatively, it could be a modern invented name, an abbreviation of longer names, or inspired by the Thai word 'kru' meaning 'teacher' or 'mentor.' As a given name, Kru is extremely rare in Western naming records. Its brevity gives it a contemporary feel, while its unusual nature makes it memorable. The name has a strong, bold sound despite its single syllable and might appeal to parents seeking a unique, culturally significant, or simply distinctive modern name for their son. Kru's simplicity makes it versatile across different languages and cultural contexts.

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