Reese Unisex

Popularity: #184 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: REES //riːs//

Origin: Welsh; English

Meaning: Welsh: ardent; English: enthusiastic

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Reese has its roots in the Welsh language, derived from the name "Rhys," which means "enthusiasm" or "ardor." The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the Old Welsh period, where it was used as a given name among the Celtic peoples of Britain. As the name transitioned into English usage, it retained its original Welsh spelling but was adapted phonetically to fit English pronunciation norms.

The anglicized form, Reese, became more common in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, although its Welsh origins remain significant in understanding its meaning and cultural context. Historically, the name Rhys has been borne by notable figures in Welsh history, including Rhys ap Tewdwr, a 12th-century prince of Deheubarth, who played a crucial role in the resistance against Norman invasions.

The name has also been associated with various saints and historical leaders throughout the centuries, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of Wales. The use of the name in literature and historical texts has contributed to its endurance, with references appearing in works from the medieval period onward.

Culturally, the name Reese embodies qualities of vigor and passion, resonating with themes of enthusiasm and spiritedness. This connection to positive attributes has allowed the name to maintain its appeal across generations.

In addition to its primary form, diminutive variations such as "Ree" have emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance in various contexts. Overall, Reese stands as a testament to the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Wales, while also illustrating the broader historical narratives of names as carriers of meaning and identity.

Famous people named Reese

In this section, you will find notable people named Reese. 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 Reese who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Reese 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.

Reese Witherspoon is an actress and producer best known for Legally Blonde, Walk the Line, and Big Little Lies.

Reese Bobby is a fictional character best known as the father of the main character in the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Fictional characters named Reese

The following list of fictional characters named Reese is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Reese is a fictional character from the TV series Malcolm in the Middle. He is the eldest son of the family, known for his rebellious and often reckless behavior.

Sibling suggestions

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

RileyPaigeBrookeTaylorMorganSloane

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Reese. 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.

RheaReneeRisaRinaRoxieRileyReva

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Reese has ranked as high as #253 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Florida, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Reese has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Reese 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 Reese 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 Reese.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,106 475 1,631
2024 2,048 456 1,592
2023 2,106 439 1,667
2022 2,156 428 1,728
2021 2,265 375 1,890
2020 2,214 336 1,878
2019 2,128 312 1,816
2018 2,176 384 1,792
2017 2,116 362 1,754
2016 2,207 384 1,823
2015 2,217 358 1,859
2014 2,379 407 1,972
2013 2,482 421 2,061
2012 2,935 476 2,459
2011 2,852 471 2,381
2010 2,798 533 2,265
2009 2,810 574 2,236
2008 2,837 599 2,238
2007 2,950 603 2,347
2006 2,830 643 2,187
2005 2,112 699 1,413
2004 1,939 698 1,241
2003 1,705 709 996
2002 1,289 675 614
2001 949 646 303
2000 841 592 249
1999 671 500 171
1998 440 365 75
1997 293 241 52
1996 250 209 41
1995 220 214 6
1994 196 185 11
1993 186 179 7
1992 180 171 9
1991 131 131 0
1990 132 132 0
1989 131 131 0
1988 105 105 0
1987 87 87 0
1986 88 88 0
1985 88 88 0
1984 54 54 0
1983 46 46 0
1982 53 53 0
1981 47 47 0
1980 53 53 0
1979 38 38 0
1978 44 44 0
1977 54 54 0
1976 49 49 0
1975 40 40 0
1974 55 55 0
1973 36 36 0
1972 48 48 0
1971 54 54 0
1970 70 70 0
1969 46 46 0
1968 66 66 0
1967 68 68 0
1966 81 81 0
1965 60 60 0
1964 46 46 0
1963 42 42 0
1962 55 55 0
1961 50 50 0
1960 44 44 0
1959 55 50 5
1958 48 48 0
1957 62 62 0
1956 58 58 0
1955 56 56 0
1954 48 48 0
1953 49 49 0
1952 44 44 0
1951 37 37 0
1950 51 51 0
1949 52 52 0
1948 42 42 0
1947 38 38 0
1946 41 41 0
1945 32 32 0
1944 40 40 0
1943 52 52 0
1942 41 41 0
1941 25 25 0
1940 34 34 0
1939 36 36 0
1938 36 36 0
1937 42 42 0
1936 33 33 0
1935 34 34 0
1934 30 30 0
1933 27 27 0
1932 41 41 0
1931 39 39 0
1930 39 39 0
1929 40 40 0
1928 54 54 0
1927 50 50 0
1926 50 50 0
1925 45 45 0
1924 65 59 6
1923 61 61 0
1922 49 49 0
1921 66 66 0
1920 44 44 0
1919 50 50 0
1918 45 45 0
1917 50 50 0
1916 52 52 0
1915 48 48 0
1914 41 41 0
1913 27 27 0
1912 22 22 0
1911 15 15 0
1910 26 26 0
1909 12 12 0
1908 15 15 0
1907 8 8 0
1906 8 8 0
1905 13 13 0
1904 11 11 0
1903 5 5 0
1902 12 12 0
1901 9 9 0
1900 10 10 0
1899 8 8 0
1898 9 9 0
1897 15 15 0
1896 8 8 0
1895 8 8 0
1894 9 9 0
1893 12 12 0
1892 11 11 0
1891 11 11 0
1889 16 16 0
1888 7 7 0
1886 10 10 0
1885 8 8 0
1884 10 10 0
1883 8 8 0
1882 8 8 0
1881 8 8 0
1880 6 6 0

Top States for Reese (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 163
8%
CA 162
8%
OH 103
5%
FL 93
5%
IL 90
5%
PA 85
4%
NY 73
4%
NC 72
4%
TN 65
3%
MI 62
3%
VA 56
3%
MO 56
3%
GA 53
3%
IN 50
3%
UT 49
2%
LA 47
2%
CO 47
2%
WI 44
2%
MN 43
2%
WA 41
2%
OK 40
2%
MD 38
2%
KY 38
2%
AL 35
2%
OR 33
2%
MA 33
2%
SC 33
2%
IA 29
1%
KS 29
1%
NJ 29
1%
NE 29
1%
AZ 27
1%
MS 21
1%
WV 20
1%
CT 17
1%
ID 14
1%
NH 10
1%
NV 10
1%
SD 8
0%
AR 8
0%
HI 6
0%
RI 6
0%
WY 6
0%
MT 6
0%
ND 5
0%