Ruri
Meaninglapis lazuli · Japanese
Ruri is a Japanese girl name meaning “lapis lazuli”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationRuri is having its moment right now. Most Ruris are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- HistoryRuri first shows up in US birth records in 2021, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million girls, 2021–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ruri
Ruri is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “lapis lazuli”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Ruri
What does the name Ruri mean?
Ruri means “lapis lazuli” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Ruriko (“lapis lazuli child”).
What is the origin of the name Ruri?
Ruri is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Ruri a boy or girl name?
Ruri is a girl name.
How popular is the name Ruri?
Ruri is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2021. It peaked at #13,464 in 2021, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Ruri?
If you like Ruri, you might also like Ruriko.
What should I know before naming my baby Ruri?
Ruri is a Japanese girl name meaning “lapis lazuli”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.