Rees Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: rees /riːs/
Origin: Welsh; Hebrew
Meaning: Welsh: ardent; Hebrew: healer
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Rees has its origins in the Welsh language, derived from the Old Welsh name "Res", which itself is believed to stem from the Latin name "Rhesus". The Latin form is thought to have been influenced by the Greek name "Rhesos", a character from Homer's "Iliad".
The transition of the name into English occurred through the Norman influence in Wales, where it was adopted and adapted into various forms, including Rees and Rhys, the latter being the more traditional Welsh spelling. The name is often interpreted to mean "enthusiasm" or "ardor" in Welsh, reflecting a positive connotation associated with its bearers.
Historically, the name Rees has been borne by notable figures in Welsh history, including several medieval princes and chieftains. One significant figure is Rhys ap Tewdwr, a 10th-century king of Deheubarth, who played a crucial role in the resistance against the Anglo-Saxon incursions.
The name also appears in various historical texts and genealogies, particularly during the period of the Welsh princes in the 12th and 13th centuries. Additionally, the name has been recorded in the context of the Welsh Laws and chronicles, which document the lineage and heritage of Welsh nobility.
Culturally, Rees has resonated within Welsh identity, symbolizing a connection to the rich history and traditions of Wales. The name is often associated with strength and leadership, qualities that have contributed to its enduring presence in Welsh culture.
In literature and folklore, characters bearing the name have frequently been depicted as valiant and noble, further solidifying its significance. The diminutive form "Rhys" remains a popular variant, reflecting the name's deep roots in Welsh heritage and its continued relevance in cultural narratives.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rees, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rees. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Rees was first seen in the United States in 1914.
Rees has ranked as high as #6074 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Rees has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Rees 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 Rees 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 Rees.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 2022 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 2021 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2018 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| 2017 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2016 | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| 2015 | 23 | 18 | 5 |
| 2014 | 27 | 22 | 5 |
| 2013 | 26 | 19 | 7 |
| 2012 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2011 | 24 | 18 | 6 |
| 2010 | 38 | 24 | 14 |
| 2009 | 24 | 17 | 7 |
| 2008 | 39 | 32 | 7 |
| 2007 | 30 | 23 | 7 |
| 2006 | 44 | 32 | 12 |
| 2005 | 41 | 30 | 11 |
| 2004 | 35 | 29 | 6 |
| 2003 | 36 | 30 | 6 |
| 2002 | 32 | 26 | 6 |
| 2001 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 2000 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1999 | 34 | 27 | 7 |
| 1998 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1997 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1996 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1995 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1993 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1992 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1991 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1990 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1989 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1987 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1986 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1984 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1982 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1980 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1975 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1972 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1970 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1969 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1968 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1967 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1966 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1965 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1962 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1960 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1959 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1954 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1953 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1952 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1951 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1949 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1948 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1947 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1945 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1944 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1942 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1941 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1940 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1939 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1938 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1932 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1931 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1930 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1929 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1926 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1925 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1923 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1922 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1920 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1919 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1917 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1916 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1915 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1914 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Rees (2010)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |