Reece Unisex

Popularity: #420 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: rees /riːs/

Origin: Welsh; English

Meaning: Welsh: ardent; English: descendant of Rhys

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Reece has its roots in the Welsh name Rhys, which is derived from the Old Welsh word "ris," meaning "enthusiasm" or "ardor." The evolution of the name can be traced back to the early medieval period in Wales, where it was commonly used among the nobility. The name Rhys gained prominence in the 11th century, particularly with the notable figure Rhys ap Tewdwr, a king of Deheubarth in the 11th century, who played a significant role in Welsh history.

The name was later adopted into English as Reece, particularly during the 19th century, as Welsh names began to permeate English-speaking cultures, especially in regions with Welsh influence. Throughout history, the name has been associated with various notable figures, including Rhys of Radnor, a 12th-century Welsh prince, and Rhys ap Gruffudd, a 13th-century leader who resisted English rule.

The name Rhys appears in several historical texts and genealogies, reflecting its significance in Welsh heritage. The Anglicized form, Reece, became more widely recognized with the publication of works such as the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which contributed to the dissemination of Welsh names in English-speaking contexts.

Culturally, the name Reece carries connotations of vigor and passion, resonating with its original meaning of enthusiasm. It has been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing strength and resilience.

The diminutive form, Rhys, remains significant in Welsh culture, maintaining a strong connection to its linguistic roots. Overall, the name Reece encapsulates a rich historical and cultural tapestry, reflecting the enduring legacy of Welsh heritage in the broader context of English nomenclature.

Famous people named Reece

In this section, you will find notable people named Reece. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Reece who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Reece who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Reece Shearsmith is an actor, writer, and comedian best known for The League of Gentlemen, Psychoville, and Inside No. 9.

Reece James is a professional footballer best known for playing as a defender for Chelsea and the England national team.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Reece, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

RhysReedRileyReaganRonanRyder

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Reece. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ReedRhettRexRylanRoccoRafeRoryRonan

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Reece was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Reece has ranked as high as #648 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Florida, and Indiana.

In the past 5 years the name Reece has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Reece is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Reece was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Reece.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 877 675 202
2024 841 686 155
2023 859 688 171
2022 690 563 127
2021 615 485 130
2020 608 470 138
2019 617 484 133
2018 602 455 147
2017 621 461 160
2016 654 478 176
2015 671 492 179
2014 729 512 217
2013 736 511 225
2012 756 558 198
2011 838 617 221
2010 833 631 202
2009 923 654 269
2008 960 716 244
2007 929 676 253
2006 927 700 227
2005 998 780 218
2004 914 695 219
2003 937 757 180
2002 931 779 152
2001 902 798 104
2000 763 661 102
1999 642 564 78
1998 528 485 43
1997 327 293 34
1996 284 256 28
1995 271 260 11
1994 258 252 6
1993 220 220 0
1992 216 216 0
1991 167 167 0
1990 165 165 0
1989 140 140 0
1988 152 152 0
1987 115 115 0
1986 107 107 0
1985 67 67 0
1984 51 51 0
1983 42 42 0
1982 40 40 0
1981 31 31 0
1980 40 40 0
1979 33 33 0
1978 16 16 0
1977 29 29 0
1976 27 27 0
1975 23 23 0
1974 17 17 0
1973 31 31 0
1972 36 36 0
1971 36 36 0
1970 36 36 0
1969 29 29 0
1968 31 31 0
1967 24 24 0
1966 39 39 0
1965 33 33 0
1964 23 23 0
1963 22 22 0
1962 19 19 0
1961 21 21 0
1960 29 29 0
1959 29 29 0
1958 28 28 0
1957 31 31 0
1956 26 26 0
1955 26 26 0
1954 22 22 0
1953 36 36 0
1952 25 25 0
1951 21 21 0
1950 24 24 0
1949 21 21 0
1948 32 32 0
1947 32 32 0
1946 31 31 0
1945 29 29 0
1944 32 32 0
1943 19 19 0
1942 28 28 0
1941 24 24 0
1940 27 27 0
1939 31 31 0
1938 29 29 0
1937 24 24 0
1936 34 34 0
1935 39 39 0
1934 38 38 0
1933 36 36 0
1932 33 33 0
1931 45 45 0
1930 32 32 0
1929 40 40 0
1928 47 47 0
1927 41 41 0
1926 45 45 0
1925 40 40 0
1924 48 48 0
1923 43 43 0
1922 51 51 0
1921 42 42 0
1920 36 36 0
1919 41 41 0
1918 39 39 0
1917 43 43 0
1916 53 53 0
1915 42 42 0
1914 23 23 0
1913 24 24 0
1912 19 19 0
1911 11 11 0
1910 10 10 0
1909 10 10 0
1908 7 7 0
1907 5 5 0
1906 7 7 0
1905 6 6 0
1903 7 7 0
1902 7 7 0
1901 5 5 0
1900 6 6 0
1898 6 6 0
1895 5 5 0
1893 5 5 0
1892 5 5 0
1891 5 5 0
1888 7 7 0
1887 9 9 0
1885 9 9 0
1884 6 6 0
1883 10 10 0
1882 6 6 0
1881 9 9 0
1880 5 5 0

Top States for Reece (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 69
9%
CA 63
8%
FL 54
7%
OH 40
5%
PA 31
4%
GA 30
4%
TN 30
4%
IN 29
4%
NY 27
4%
NC 26
3%
NJ 24
3%
IL 22
3%
MN 22
3%
MI 20
3%
WA 20
3%
UT 19
2%
AZ 19
2%
MO 19
2%
KY 16
2%
CO 16
2%
AL 16
2%
VA 15
2%
OK 15
2%
LA 12
2%
WI 11
1%
MA 11
1%
KS 9
1%
SC 9
1%
IA 9
1%
MD 9
1%
AR 9
1%
NE 8
1%
MS 7
1%
ID 7
1%
OR 6
1%
CT 5
1%
ND 5
1%
NV 5
1%