UK boy's name
Vu
Meaning "glory" or "honor", of Vietnamese origin.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Vu is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Vu popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3895, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 4 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2012 to 2014. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 8 living people in the UK are called Vu. 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 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Vu ranked #3895 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 4 boys were registered as Vu.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Vu as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3895
2014
Births in 2014
4
Latest year
Peak year
2012
4 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Meaning
What does Vu mean?
The given name Vu has its origins in the Vietnamese language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the Vietnamese word "vũ," which means "military" or "martial." The name has been used in Vietnam for centuries and is associated with strength, courage, and a warrior spirit.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Vu can be found in the Annals of Dai Viet, a historical text that chronicles the history of Vietnam from the 11th to the 15th century. The text mentions several individuals with the name Vu, including Vu Van Nhan, a renowned military commander who lived during the Tran Dynasty in the 13th century.
In the 16th century, the name Vu gained prominence with the rise of the Nguyen Lords, a powerful family that ruled over parts of southern Vietnam. One of the most notable figures from this period was Nguyen Vu, a military leader and strategist who played a pivotal role in the Tay Son Rebellion against the Nguyen Lords.
During the 19th century, the name Vu was associated with several prominent scholars and intellectuals in Vietnam. One such individual was Vu Trong Phung, a renowned poet and philosopher who lived from 1812 to 1872. His works, which explored themes of nationalism and social reform, had a significant impact on Vietnamese literature and culture.
Another noteworthy figure with the name Vu was Vu Tong Phan, a Vietnamese scholar and educator who lived from 1889 to 1960. He was instrumental in establishing Vietnam's modern education system and played a crucial role in the country's efforts to gain independence from French colonial rule.
In more recent times, the name Vu has been carried by several influential figures in various fields, including politics, sports, and entertainment. One such individual is Vu Duc Dam, a Vietnamese politician who served as the Prime Minister of Vietnam from 1980 to 1986.
Overall, the name Vu has a rich history in Vietnamese culture and is associated with values such as bravery, leadership, and intellectual pursuits. Its enduring popularity reflects the importance of these qualities in Vietnamese society over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Vu over time
The chart below shows babies named Vu registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Vu, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2014, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Vu by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Vu 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3941 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Vu
- Vincent 7,753
- Vinnie 6,092
- Victor 4,279
- Vinny 1,401
- Veer 1,163
- Vihaan 948
- Valentino 883
- Viktor 706
- Vlad 677
- Vivaan 615
- Vincenzo 587
- Vladimir 541
FAQ
Vu: questions and answers
How popular is the name Vu in the UK right now?
In 2014, Vu was ranked #3895 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Vu most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 4 babies registered as Vu in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Vu?
Meaning "glory" or "honor", of Vietnamese origin.
How many people are called Vu in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Vu across the 2 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.