NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Blu

A shortened form of blue, possibly referring to the color.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 91 girls.

Blu is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Blu popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2263, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 39 births.

This profile covers 376 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 26% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 374 living people in the UK are called Blu. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Blu ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2019, when 39 boys were registered as Blu.
  • Blu is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 374 living people in the UK are estimated to have Blu as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 80.5% of Blu registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2263

2024

Births in 2024

10

Latest year

Peak year

2019

39 births

Estimated living

374

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Blu

In England and Wales birth records, Blu has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 80.5% of registrations are for boys and 19.5% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

81% boys
19% girls
Boys376 (80.5%)Girls91 (19.5%)

Blu registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,263 in 2024
  • 10 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2019 (39 births)

Blu registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,843 in 2024
  • 4 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2016 (9 births)

Meaning

What does Blu mean?

The name Blu is a modern invention, likely derived from the English word "blue" which traces its roots back to the Old French "bleu" and the Old English "blæwen." The color blue has been associated with various symbolic meanings throughout history, including loyalty, trust, intelligence, and tranquility.

While the name Blu does not have a long historical lineage, it has gained popularity in recent decades as a unique and unconventional name choice. Some believe it may have been inspired by the Italian word "blu" which means "blue" in English, giving it a touch of international flair.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Blu as a first name can be found in the 1985 American film "The Goonies," where the character Mouth's real name is revealed to be Blu Razato. This portrayal of Blu as a quirky and adventurous character may have contributed to the name's appeal.

Another notable figure with the name Blu is the American graffiti artist Blu, born in the late 1970s, whose real name is unknown. His vibrant and socially conscious murals have garnered international recognition, further associating the name with creativity and artistic expression.

In the world of music, Blu is the stage name of American rapper and producer David Barnes, born in 1983. His unique blend of conscious lyrics and soulful beats has earned him a dedicated following in the underground hip-hop scene.

Blu is also the name of a fictional character from the 2011 animated film "Rio," voiced by actor Jesse Eisenberg. As a rare blue macaw, the character's name perfectly reflects his striking appearance and ties to the natural world.

Finally, Blu was the name given to a baby dolphin born in 2012 at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida. The choice of this unique name was seen as a way to celebrate the dolphin's distinct coloration and the center's commitment to research and conservation.

While the name Blu may not have a deep historical legacy, its modern usage reflects a desire for uniqueness, creativity, and a connection to the natural world, particularly the calming and serene qualities associated with the color blue.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Blu over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Blu in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Blu, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 39 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
012233546199620102024

Decades

Blu by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Blu was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #1346 110 5
2010s #1513 185 10
2000s #2186 73 10
1990s #2480 8 2

Related

Names similar to Blu

FAQ

Blu: questions and answers

How popular is the name Blu in the UK right now?

In 2024, Blu was ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.

When was Blu most popular?

The peak year on record was 2019, with 39 babies registered as Blu in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Blu?

A shortened form of blue, possibly referring to the color.

How many people are called Blu in the UK?

A total of 376 babies have been registered as Blu across the 27 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.