The name Rhys is a girl's name of Welsh origin meaning "ardor".

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Less than ten percent of the babies named Rhys are girls, whereas Reese is given five times more often to girls than to boys, thanks to Ms. Witherspoon.  It's a sleek and attractive name, but one that benefits from two accepted spellings that help clarify its gender identity.

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Rhys

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The name Rhys peaked for girls at #2780 in 2022. The name is most popular in RHYS, RHYS, and RHYS. Rhys is also used for boys, ranking #412 in 2025.

Reese

The name Rhys is a boy's name of Welsh origin meaning "ardor".

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Rugged but gentle, Rhys is the traditional Welsh spelling of this name, which can also be anglicized as Reese or Reece. Up until 2010, Reese was the preferred spelling in the US, perhaps because parents were concerned about mispronunciation. However, Rhys has since taken over for boys and is now used twice as often as Reese.
 
Always widespread in Wales, where it has deep historic roots and was borne by a number of early rulers, Rhys is also familiar across the rest of the UK, though less now so than it was in the 90s and 2000s. In the US, it didn't enter the Top 1000 until 2004, possibly influenced by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, of The Tudors, and Welsh-born actor Rhys Ifans.
 Former New Kid on the Block Joey McIntyre named his son Rhys Edward in 2009, while comedian and actor Rhys Darby is another bearer.

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The name Rhys is currently ranked #412 in U.S. births. and peaked for boys at #353 in 2023. The name is most popular in RHYS, RHYS, and RHYS. Rhys is occasionally used for girls in 2025.

Reece

Rhett

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	#4,748	30	16.8
2015	—	0	0
2016	—	0	0
2017	#4,670	30	17.4
2018	#4,538	31	18.2
2019	#3,986	37	22
2020	#3,827	38	23.5
2021	#3,028	55	33.5
2022	#2,780	62	37.8
2023	#2,813	61	38
2024	#3,622	43	26.5
2025	#3,892	38	23.6

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