Boy name · Welsh
Rhys
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: ardor, enthusiasmRhys is a boy's name that comes from Welsh and means "ardor, enthusiasm". It is used in English and Welsh.
- Meaning
- Ardor, enthusiasm
- Origin
- Welsh
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- REESE
Meaning and origin of Rhys
As a boy's name, Rhys comes from Welsh and means "ardor, enthusiasm". It is used in English and Welsh.
Say it REESE. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Rhys on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Rhys on 4 lists.
“Welsh for ardor or enthusiasm; say REES”
From Boy cat names, unique male cat names
“Enthusiasm, ardor; Welsh. Say REESE”
From Boy middle names, one-syllable boy middle names
“Ardor, enthusiasm; Welsh. A Welsh classic. Say REESE”
From Classic boy names, classic Irish, Scottish and Welsh boy names
“Ardor, enthusiasm; Welsh, a name of medieval princes. Say REESE”
From Unique boy names, uncommon Irish and Welsh boy names
How popular is Rhys?
- US rank in 2025
- #412
- 778 babies, 455 per million boys
- Best rank
- #353 in 2023
- Most babies: 952 in 2024
- Babies since 1929
- At least 14,334
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 1 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 2 per million |
| 1950s | 5 per million |
| 1960s | 6 per million |
| 1970s | 5 per million |
| 1980s | 17 per million |
| 1990s | 36 per million |
| 2000s | 111 per million |
| 2010s | 315 per million |
| 2020s | 469 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #495 | #477 | #463 | #440 | #419 | #413 | #426 | #353 | #353 | #412 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Rhys
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- ReeseArdor, enthusiasm (Welsh, unisex)
Names spelled like Rhys
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
Middle names for Rhys
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Welsh
- DylanTide, flow (Welsh, boy)
- HowellEminent, conspicuous (Welsh, boy)
- LloydGrey (Welsh, boy)
- LynnLake (Welsh, unisex)
- OwenAnglicized form of Owain, possibly from Latin Eugenius (Welsh, boy)
- WynnFair, white, blessed (Welsh, unisex)
- BedwyrWelsh form of Bedivere, a knight of King Arthur (Welsh, boy)
- BerwynWhite head (Welsh, boy)
- BleddynLittle wolf (Welsh, boy)
- BowenFrom a surname meaning son of Owain (Welsh, boy)
Rhys: common questions
What does the name Rhys mean?
Rhys comes from Welsh and means "ardor, enthusiasm".
Is Rhys a boy or girl name?
Rhys is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 38 girls and 778 boys in the US were named Rhys, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Rhys come from?
Rhys comes from Welsh and means "ardor, enthusiasm". Today it is used in English and Welsh.
How do you pronounce Rhys?
Say REESE. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Rhys?
Rhys ranked #412 in the US in 2025, with 778 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Rhys?
Forms of Rhys with the same meaning and origin include Reese (English).
What middle names go with Rhys?
Middle names that flow well with Rhys include Archer, Bernard, Burton, Eugene and Everett. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.