Names Ending in U for Boys
- Bartholmieu
Description:
Bartholmieu is a rare masculine name that serves as a French variant of Bartholomew. Derived from the Aramaic 'bar-Talmay,' meaning 'son of Talmay' or 'son of the furrows,' it has ancient biblical connections as one of Jesus's twelve apostles. The French influence gives this version a sophisticated, aristocratic quality with its distinctive spelling and pronunciation. Unlike the more common Bartholomew or Bart, Bartholmieu has remained exceedingly rare in English-speaking countries, making it an exceptionally unique choice. The name carries historical gravitas while evoking medieval French heritage. Parents seeking a truly distinctive name with classical roots might appreciate Bartholmieu's combination of historical depth and uncommon status.
- Zankoku
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"cruel"Description:
Zankoku has two ties to anime: as a character in Naruto and in the song Zankoku na tenshi no tēze (A Cruel Angel's Thesis), which was used as the theme song for the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion.
- Sefu
Origin:
Swahili from ArabicMeaning:
"sword"Description:
Sefu derives from the Arabic word sayf, meaning sword.
- Abdou
Description:
Abdou is a masculine name with North African and Middle Eastern origins, particularly common in countries like Senegal, Egypt, and Morocco. It functions as a diminutive form of Abdullah or other names beginning with 'Abd' (meaning 'servant of' in Arabic). Pronounced 'ab-DOO,' the name carries spiritual significance in Muslim communities as names with the 'Abd' prefix traditionally honor divine attributes. While maintaining its cultural roots, Abdou offers a more casual, approachable alternative to longer formal names. In francophone West African countries, it enjoys particular popularity. The name has gradually gained some recognition in Western countries with diverse immigrant communities, though it remains primarily associated with its regions of origin.
- Jiddu
Description:
Rare Indian name best known as that of philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.
- Reku
Description:
Reku is an extremely rare masculine name with possible origins in Japanese or Finnish cultures, though it may also be a modern invented name. In Japanese, depending on the kanji used, it could have various meanings. In Finnish contexts, it might be related to 'rekka' meaning 'truck' or 'lorry.' The name's brevity and distinctive sound pattern make it memorable, with a modern, international feel. The combination of the strong 'r' beginning and the ending 'u' sound creates a balanced name that's both substantial and fluid. As an uncommon name, Reku offers individuality while being relatively easy to pronounce across different languages, making it a potential choice for parents seeking a truly distinctive global name.
- Eliyahu
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Jabiru
Origin:
Brazilian, type of birdDescription:
Although the name Jabiru is indelibly associated with Australia (it is the name of a town in Northern Territory, Australia and also a type of stork), it is not an Aboriginal name, as is often thought.
- Tariku
Origin:
AmharicMeaning:
"his story"Description:
Tariku is a traditional Ethiopian name as well as that of a river in Indonesia.
- Tarou
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"eldest son"Description:
Alternative to Taro, which is the more common Anglicized spelling.
- Abdu
Origin:
SwahiliMeaning:
"worshipper of God"Description:
The vowel ending energizes this relative of Abdul.
- Ireneu
Origin:
Catalan form of Irenaeus, GreekMeaning:
"peace"
- Akamu
Origin:
Hawaiian variant of AdamDescription:
The Hawaiian version of ultra-classic Adam could make a cool choice for parents seeking something that feels fresh but still has roots in tradition. It also means "to blush" in Japanese.
- Éowyn
Origin:
LiteratureMeaning:
"horse lover"Description:
A literary name created by J. R. R. Tolkien for a Lord of the Rings noblewoman of Rohan. It would make an interesting choice for literature lovers or fans of names like Elowen and Evelyn.
- Lapu
Origin:
HopiMeaning:
"Cedar bark"Description:
This Hopi boys' name refers to the bark of the cedar tree.
- Venceslau
Description:
Venceslau is a masculine name of Slavic origin, representing the Portuguese and Spanish form of Wenceslaus (or Václav in Czech). The name derives from the Slavic elements 'venets' (crown, wreath) and 'slava' (glory), meaning 'crowned with glory' or 'greater glory.' It gained prominence through Saint Wenceslaus, the 10th-century Duke of Bohemia who became the patron saint of the Czech people. This particular spelling variation has been most common in Portuguese-speaking regions, particularly Brazil and Portugal, as well as in some Spanish-speaking areas. While never extremely widespread, Venceslau has maintained continuous usage throughout the centuries, especially among families wishing to honor the saint or their Slavic heritage. The name carries associations of nobility, leadership, and piety, reflecting the historical character of the martyred duke celebrated in the Christmas carol 'Good King Wenceslas.'
- Kohaku
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"amber"Description:
Masculine name with a gem meaning.
- Jalu
Description:
Jalu is a distinctive masculine name with origins in various cultures. In Finnish, it means 'noble' or 'footprint,' while in Indonesian cultures, particularly Javanese, it can signify 'firmness' or 'perseverance.' The name has remained relatively uncommon in Western countries, making it a unique choice for parents seeking something distinctive. In certain African traditions, similar-sounding names carry meanings related to strength or dignity. Jalu's simplicity, with just two syllables, makes it easily pronounceable across different languages while maintaining its exotic appeal. The name has seen very limited usage in the United States but may appeal to parents looking for a short, meaningful name with international resonance.
- Samu
Origin:
Finnish, Spanish, and Hungarian diminutive of Samuel, HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Anaru
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"man, masculine"Description:
Energetic Maori form of Andrew.