Names Ending in U for Boys

Shikamaru Nara is one of the most popular characters from Naruto, although this has not translated to any American or many Japanese babies being given the name.

Sekou, also written as Sékou, is a given name as well as a title synonymous with the Arabic Sheikh. It comes from the Fula language of West Africa, and is widely used among the Fula people.

This attractive Indian unisex name has a number of interesting variations with equally appealing meanings, including Manjula and Manjusha.

This charming Japanese name, with two meanings every little boy would love to have, was briefly in the Canadian Top 100 in the early 20th Century. There are many famous bearers of the name, such as architect Isamu Noguchi and physicist Isamu Akasaki.

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.

A name sometimes used by Latino parents, perhaps relating to the popular Spanish TV mini-series of that name.

Maori form of Matthew

Juneau could go either way as a name. The newfound fame of the movie heroine Juno knocks this unrelated though identical-sounding Alaskan name out of consideration for boys, for the moment. Though (male) writer Junot Diaz may put the sound-alike name back in the running for boys.

In its native Nigeria, Agu is a surname that signifies strength and being a force of nature. Agu as a first name has some pedigree, however: most notably via Agu Casmir, a famous Nigerian-Singaporean soccer player.

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.

Unisex Japanese name seen on a character in the Haikyū!! manga and anime series.

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.

Famously Tupac Shakur's middle name.

Wesley Snipes chose this distinctive East African name for his son.

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.

An unexplored choice, evocative of the snowcapped Andes, with a pleasant, catchy sound.