Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ren
UnisexJapanese, English· “lotus (Japanese); also a short form”
- Meaning
- lotus (Japanese); also a short form
- Origin
- Japanese, English
- Pronunciation
- REN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,041
- US babies 2025
- 213
- Best rank
- #1,041 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Ren
Ren is a Japanese and English name that is usually said to mean “lotus (Japanese); also a short form”.
Ren has several roots. In Japanese, it can be written with the character for lotus, a flower associated with purity, or with other characters that carry different meanings. In English, Ren is often used as a short form of names like Lauren, Warren and Renata, and it has grown into an independent name. Ren is short, gender-neutral and modern, with a crisp single syllable. Its simplicity lets it travel easily between languages and styles, and it pairs well with longer, more traditional middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Wren, Renne, Renn, Wrenn.
Popularity over time
Ren first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,041, and its highest count, 213 babies. Use has grown 196% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #3,260 in 1950, #6,076 in 1980, #4,525 in 2000, #2,315 in 2010, and #1,041 in 2025. Of the 2,818 US boys named Ren since records began, 39% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 759 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Renley, Laramie, Marlow, Winslow, and True.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ren ranked highest in Nevada, Washington, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #578 | 5 |
| Washington | #631 | 11 |
| California | #641 | 44 |
| Utah | #684 | 6 |
| Arizona | #765 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Ren is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Ren were girls and 72% were boys.
Ren is usually pronounced REN, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with R and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Wren, Renne, Renn, and Wrenn.
Middle names for Ren
A few middle names that flow with Ren: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ren
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Lists that include Ren
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ren mean?
Ren is a Japanese and English name that is usually said to mean “lotus (Japanese); also a short form”.
What is the origin of the name Ren?
Ren has Japanese and English roots. Ren has several roots.
Is Ren a popular name?
Not especially. Ren ranked #1,041 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ren a boy or girl name?
Ren is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Ren were girls and 72% were boys.
How do you pronounce Ren?
Ren is usually pronounced REN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings