UK boy's name
Radu
Of Romanian origin, meaning "little gladden" or "little joy".
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.
Radu is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Radu popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2671, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 19 births.
This profile covers 137 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 2006 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 42% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 136 living people in the UK are called Radu. 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
- • Radu ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2019, when 19 boys were registered as Radu.
- • About 136 living people in the UK are estimated to have Radu as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2671
2024
Births in 2024
8
Latest year
Peak year
2019
19 births
Estimated living
136
2026
Meaning
What does Radu mean?
The given name Radu has its origins in the Romanian language and culture, traced back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Slavic name Radomir, which combines the elements "rad" meaning "joy" or "delight" and "mir" meaning "peace" or "world." The name carries the meaning of "joyful peace" or "delightful world."
The earliest recorded use of the name Radu can be found in historical documents from the 14th century, when it was borne by Radu I, a Prince of Wallachia, a medieval principality located in present-day southern Romania. Radu I ruled from 1377 to 1383 and played a significant role in the region's history during that time.
One of the most notable figures in history with the name Radu was Radu cel Frumos (Radu the Handsome), a Prince of Wallachia who ruled from 1462 to 1475. He was known for his diplomatic skills and for maintaining a delicate balance of power between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary.
Another prominent figure was Radu Negru (Radu the Black), a Prince of Wallachia who ruled from 1512 to 1521. He gained his nickname due to his dark complexion and was known for his military prowess in defending Wallachia against Ottoman invasions.
In the 16th century, Radu Șerban, a Prince of Wallachia from 1602 to 1611, was known for his patronage of the arts and his efforts to promote education in the principality. He commissioned the construction of several churches and monasteries, which are still standing today.
Radu Mihnea, a Prince of Wallachia who ruled from 1611 to 1616 and again from 1623 to 1626, was a significant figure in the region's history. He was known for his diplomatic skills and his efforts to maintain Wallachia's independence amidst the struggles between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy.
While the name Radu has its roots in Romanian history and culture, it has also been adopted by individuals of various backgrounds and nationalities over time, reflecting the cultural exchange and migrations that have taken place throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Radu over time
The chart below shows babies named Radu registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Radu, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 19 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Radu by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Radu 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 | #2459 | 45 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2889 | 86 | 10 |
| 2000s | #4242 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Radu
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Radu: questions and answers
How popular is the name Radu in the UK right now?
In 2024, Radu was ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Radu most popular?
The peak year on record was 2019, with 19 babies registered as Radu in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Radu?
Of Romanian origin, meaning "little gladden" or "little joy".
How many people are called Radu in the UK?
A total of 137 babies have been registered as Radu across the 17 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.