Ryou" is a unisex given name of Japanese origin, derived from the kanji characters "亮" (ryō) meaning 'bright' and 'clear', and "容" (yō) meaning 'appearance'. It is pronounced as /ˈriː.oʊ/ in English. This name gained prominence in Japan during the Heian period, appearing in several literary works of that time. However, it is not commonly encountered outside of Japan. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in this name among non-Japanese speakers who appreciate its unique sound and meaning.
The name Ryo was quite popular in 1997 with five babies being born that year alone.