What Does the Name Ren Mean?
Ren is a boy's name of Japanese origin meaning “lotus, or love.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Ren |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Japanese |
| Meaning | lotus, or love |
| Variants | Renji, Renta, Rento, Renta |
| Popularity | Among the top boys' names in Japan in the 2010s and 2020s; unisex in some Western usage. |
The meaning and origin of Ren
The name Ren means “lotus, or love” and has Japanese origins. A short Japanese given name most often written 蓮 (ren 'lotus') but also 恋 ('love') or 怜 ('wise'). It has been one of the most popular boys' names in Japan in recent years.
Variants and related names
Ren is related to several other names you may recognize: Renji, Renta, Rento, Renta. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Ren?
Among the top boys' names in Japan in the 2010s and 2020s; unisex in some Western usage.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ren mean?+
The name Ren means “lotus, or love” and is of Japanese origin.
What is the origin of the name Ren?+
Ren originates from Japanese.
Is Ren a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Ren has trended in the US over time.
Ren by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press