Rhys

Meaning: Ardor, fiery warrior
Origin: Welsh (from Old Welsh)

Boy's name · #412 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

Popularity over time

Rhys is near its high-water mark: it reached #353 in 2023 and still ranked #412 in 2025. About 14,000 boys have carried it since 1929.

Across the states

See where Rhys is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 42 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Rhys ranks in other countries and regions.

#182 in Ireland (2025) · #231 in N. Ireland (2025) · #292 in Scotland (2025) · #341 in New Zealand (2025) · #392 in England & Wales (2025) · #292 in Canada (2024).

Famous Rhyses

Rhys Ifans — Welsh actor
Rhys McClenaghan — Irish artistic gymnast (born 1999)
Rhys ap Gruffydd — Ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth
Rhys Wakefield — Australian actor
Rhys Williams — English association football player

In stories & tradition

Rhys Williams — Torchwood (TV series)
Rhys Ashworth — Hollyoaks (TV series)
Rhys Lawson — Neighbours (TV series)

What Rhyses become

Among 331 notable people named Rhys:

Sports figures appear 2.28× more often than among typical names — e.g. Rhys McClenaghan, Irish artistic gymnast (born 1999).

Spellings & nicknames

Together with its spelling variants Reece (#460) and Reese (#603), Rhys would rank around #189 with about 1,900 births last year — the newborns split about 40/35/25 across Rhys, Reece, and Reese.

Similar names: Reece · Lawson · Rio · Callen · Hayes · Reese

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service