Ren
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Ren
A very popular unisex name in Japan, Ren is a concise and versatile choice that could work across multiple languages. A rising star in England and Wales where it ranks in the Top 1000, it is also on the rise in the US where it was give to nearly 90 girls and 200 boys in a recent year.
Ren for boys#1041 US
From its Japanese roots, the meaning of Ren varies depending on which kanji element is used, but possibilities include "lotus", "move forward", and "water lily".
Beyond its Japanese origins, it may be seen as a diminutive of any of the Renatus family, including French René or Spanish Renato, all of which mean "reborn". Alternatively, it might be used as a short form of Lawrence, Lorenzo, or Laurent, giving it the meaning "from Laurentum or bay laurel"
The word name Wren, the Game of Thrones character Renly Baratheon, and the Star Wars character, Kylo Ren may be other sources for the name.
Notable pop cultural associations include the cartoon series, Ren and Stimpy and the hero of both the original and updated versions of Footloose.
Ren for girls#2190 US
In Japan the lotus is the Buddhist symbol of purity and perfection. In the US, Ren can also be short for Lauren or Renee, but it could be misspelt as the more popular Wren.
Pronounced REN.
As of October 2026, Ren ranked #1041 in US births in 2025 SSA, Nameberry popularity #164.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,014 | 71 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #2,014 | 72 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #1,509 | 113 | #4,959 | 28 |
| 2017 | #1,713 | 92 | #4,556 | 31 |
| 2018 | #1,773 | 87 | #3,906 | 38 |
| 2019 | #1,618 | 102 | #2,884 | 58 |
| 2020 | #1,322 | 136 | #2,997 | 54 |
| 2021 | #1,123 | 182 | #2,304 | 80 |
| 2022 | #1,128 | 188 | #2,222 | 85 |
| 2023 | #1,081 | 199 | #2,172 | 88 |
| 2024 | #1,145 | 183 | #2,272 | 82 |
| 2025 | #1,041 | 213 | #2,190 | 85 |
World rankings
Ren for girls
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Famous Rens
- RenBoy
stage name of Choi Minki, Korean singer of K,Pop boy group NU'EST
- Ren VokesGirl
American model on TV's "America's Next Top Model Cycle 14"
Ren in pop culture
- Ren MacCormackBoy
main character in film "Footloose"
- Ren HoekBoy
a main character on animated series "Ren & Stimpy"
- Ren HonjoBoy
musician in the manga/anime NANA
- Ren TsurugaBoy
charater on the manga "Skip Beat!"
- Ren AmamiyaBoy
also known as Akira Kurusu, character in "Persona" series
- Ren AkatsukiBoy
character in the manga and anime "Fairy Tail" by Hiro Mashima
- Ren KaidouBoy
character in the manga "Super Lovers" by Abe Miyuki
- Ren HojoBoy
character in the game "Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water"
- Lie RenBoy
character from the web series "RWBY"
- Mihashi RenBoy
character from the sports manga "Big Windup!"
- Kylo Ren aka Ben SoloBoy
character in the Star Wars series
- Ren HanaBoy
character in visual novel "Boyfriend to Death 2"
- Ren StevensGirl
character on TV's "Even Stevens"
- Reverie "Ren" MetherlenceGirl
main character in the anime "Elemental Gelade"
- Lie RenGirl
secondary character on Roosterteeth's anime/cartoon series RWBY