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Yu in Japanese

KatakanaユーYuu
Kanji悠Yuu

In Japanese, Yu is written in katakana as ユー (Yuu), the way Japanese people write foreign names. To write it in kanji, each sound gets a character chosen for its meaning. Our top pick is 悠 (yuu): “leisure”.

How Yu sounds in Japanese

ユー

Kanji for Yu

悠
yuu
  • 悠
    yuu leisure
    Calm, long-lasting and unhurried; a spirit at ease.
優
yuu
  • 優
    yuu gentleness
    Gentle, kind and excellent. A favorite in Japanese names.
    優 combines “person” (亻) and “sorrow” (憂); people often say true kindness means feeling another’s sorrow.
愉
yu
  • 愉
    yu delight
    Delight and lightheartedness.

By style

Masculine
勇
courage
Feminine
柚
yuzu

How common are these kanji in Japan?

  • 悠 (leisure) is common in Japanese given names.

Yu in anime worlds

Yu as an anime character →Yu in Jujutsu Kaisen (fan-made) →Yu in Demon Slayer (fan-made) →Yu in Attack on Titan (fan-made) →Yu in Dandadan (fan-made) →

Questions about Yu in Japanese

How do you write Yu in Japanese?

Yu is written ユー in katakana. Katakana is the script Japanese people use for foreign names, so this is how Yu would appear on a Japanese ID card, a café cup or a name tag.

What are the best kanji for Yu?

Our top pick is 悠 (Yuu). 悠 means “leisure”. Other good options are 優 (Yuu) and 愉 (Yu).

Is 悠 a real Japanese name?

Yes. 悠 is also found in Japan as a girl’s name, read Yuu, so it looks natural to Japanese readers. For Yu, it works as both a real-looking Japanese name and a kanji spelling of your own name.

How many strokes is 悠?

悠 has 11 strokes. That is quite simple to write by hand, even for beginners.

Can I use 悠 as a tattoo?

Each character in 悠 has a positive meaning, so it is a reasonable choice. Keep in mind that Japanese people will read it as the meaning of the characters, not instantly as “Yu”. If you want your name to be recognized, katakana (ユー) is clearer. Either way, ask a native speaker to check the final design.

Planning a tattoo or a print? Read the kanji tattoo checklist, and check the kanji in the name tool. Not sure which script to use? See katakana or kanji.

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Personalize Yu in kanji →Yu as an anime character ⚡

Names that sound similar

Eula · Ula · Yuko · Eunice · Yusuf · Eugene · Eugenia · Eugenie · Yoko · Yolanda