Rhys Boy

Popularity: #382 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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

Origin: Welsh; Greek

Meaning: Welsh: ardent; Greek: flowing

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rhys has its roots in the Welsh language, derived from the Old Welsh name "Rhyse," which is believed to mean "enthusiasm" or "ardor." The etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Celtic *rīxs, meaning "king" or "ruler," which reflects the name's noble connotations. As the Welsh language evolved, the name Rhys became more established, particularly in the medieval period, and it was used by various notable figures in Welsh history.

Historically, Rhys has been borne by several significant individuals, including 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 the context of the Welsh princes during the 12th and 13th centuries, notably Rhys Gryg and Rhys Mechyll, who were prominent figures in the struggle for Welsh independence.

The name's presence in historical texts and genealogies underscores its importance in Welsh heritage. Culturally, Rhys is often associated with valor and leadership, reflecting the qualities of its historical bearers.

The name has been celebrated in Welsh literature and folklore, contributing to its enduring legacy. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Rhysie" have emerged, showcasing the affectionate adaptations of the name within Welsh culture.

Overall, Rhys encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance, solidifying its place in the annals of Welsh identity.

Famous people named Rhys

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

We also feature individuals named Rhys 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.

Rhys Ifans is an actor best known for Notting Hill, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Rhys Darby is a comedian and actor best known for Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

Rhys Webb is a musician best known as the bassist for the band The Vaccines.

Fictional characters named Rhys

The following list of fictional characters named Rhys 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.

Rhys is a fictional character from the video game series Tales from the Borderlands. He is a corporate worker who becomes embroiled in an adventure filled with danger and humor.

Sibling suggestions

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

RonanEvanLiamAidanFinnCian

Similar names

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

ReeseRileyRyanRoryRonanRyderRafeRex

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rhys was first seen in the United States in 1929.

Rhys has ranked as high as #670 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Rhys 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 Rhys 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 Rhys.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 816 778 38
2024 995 952 43
2023 992 931 61
2022 795 733 62
2021 805 750 55
2020 751 713 38
2019 729 692 37
2018 658 627 31
2017 649 619 30
2016 634 612 22
2015 582 560 22
2014 610 580 30
2013 586 560 26
2012 615 576 39
2011 578 539 39
2010 592 550 42
2009 479 456 23
2008 392 359 33
2007 304 263 41
2006 225 205 20
2005 197 177 20
2004 203 180 23
2003 166 152 14
2002 163 144 19
2001 165 145 20
2000 149 134 15
1999 132 116 16
1998 105 98 7
1997 85 77 8
1996 84 76 8
1995 62 62 0
1994 62 57 5
1993 68 68 0
1992 39 39 0
1991 52 52 0
1990 51 51 0
1989 32 32 0
1988 41 41 0
1987 40 40 0
1986 29 29 0
1985 41 41 0
1984 30 30 0
1983 23 23 0
1982 27 27 0
1981 24 24 0
1980 27 27 0
1979 23 23 0
1978 6 6 0
1977 8 8 0
1976 6 6 0
1975 10 10 0
1974 5 5 0
1973 11 11 0
1971 7 7 0
1970 10 10 0
1969 11 11 0
1968 10 10 0
1967 7 7 0
1966 9 9 0
1965 8 8 0
1964 13 13 0
1963 13 13 0
1962 10 10 0
1961 16 16 0
1960 14 14 0
1959 5 5 0
1958 11 11 0
1957 9 9 0
1956 17 17 0
1955 15 15 0
1954 13 13 0
1953 11 11 0
1952 11 11 0
1951 6 6 0
1950 7 7 0
1949 8 8 0
1948 5 5 0
1946 9 9 0
1941 5 5 0
1929 8 8 0

Top States for Rhys (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
CA 84
9%
PA 79
8%
NY 67
7%
TX 61
7%
NJ 52
6%
FL 44
5%
IL 36
4%
VA 36
4%
OH 27
3%
MI 25
3%
MN 25
3%
NC 22
2%
CO 22
2%
IN 22
2%
WA 22
2%
MA 20
2%
WI 19
2%
GA 17
2%
TN 16
2%
CT 16
2%
MO 16
2%
OR 16
2%
LA 15
2%
MD 15
2%
KY 14
2%
SC 12
1%
OK 11
1%
AL 10
1%
AZ 10
1%
ID 10
1%
UT 10
1%
KS 9
1%
RI 8
1%
ND 7
1%
AR 6
1%
IA 6
1%
NV 6
1%
NH 6
1%
MS 6
1%
MT 6
1%
HI 5
1%
WV 5
1%
NE 5
1%
DE 5
1%