Rhys
How to say it: REES · /ˈris/
Welsh name meaning 'enthusiasm, ardour, passion'; a historic royal Welsh name.
Rhys was the 203rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 778 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 2.7-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #156 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #203 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 778 |
| Share of births | 1 in 872 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×2.7 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #156 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
This decade has brought Rhys to its strongest showing in the 2020s. Holding at the top, further gains look likely.
What goes with it
Pronounced REES, it sounds breathy and clipped. Flynn shares its spare style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Rhys is about 1 in 37.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Welsh.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #392. Ireland: #182.
Famous people named Rhys
- Rhys Ifans (born 1967)Welsh actor
- Rhys McClenaghan (born 1999)Irish artistic gymnast
- Rhys Wakefield (born 1988)Australian actor
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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