Rhys Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Rhys is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Rhys?
Rhys is spelled R-H-Y-S. The name has 4 letters.
Rhys at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Rhys is derived from a Welsh word meaning “enthusiasm” or “ardor.”
- Origin
- Rhys is a traditional Welsh given name.
- Pronunciation
- rees · 1 syllable
Rhys Popularity in 2025
Rank#3,832
Recorded Births38
Rank#410
Recorded Births778
- Girls usage fell 257 places to #3,832 and recorded 5 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 58 places to #410 and recorded 174 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Rhys Mean?
Rhys is derived from a Welsh word meaning “enthusiasm” or “ardor.”
Origin: Rhys is a traditional Welsh given name.
How Do You Pronounce Rhys?
Pronunciationrees
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Rhys?
- History
- The name Rhys has historical usage documented in Welsh historical texts and is linked to various Welsh figures.
Rhys Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 38 | #3,832 |
| 2025 | Boys | 778 | #410 |
| 2024 | Girls | 43 | #3,575 |
| 2024 | Boys | 952 | #352 |
| 2023 | Girls | 61 | #2,789 |
| 2023 | Boys | 931 | #353 |
| 2022 | Girls | 62 | #2,756 |
| 2022 | Boys | 733 | #426 |
| 2021 | Girls | 55 | #3,002 |
| 2021 | Boys | 750 | #413 |
| 2020 | Girls | 38 | #3,778 |
| 2020 | Boys | 713 | #418 |
| 2019 | Girls | 37 | #3,923 |
| 2019 | Boys | 692 | #440 |
| 2018 | Girls | 31 | #4,458 |
| 2018 | Boys | 627 | #463 |
| 2017 | Girls | 30 | #4,576 |
| 2017 | Boys | 619 | #476 |
| 2016 | Girls | 22 | #5,796 |
| 2016 | Boys | 612 | #494 |
| 2015 | Girls | 22 | #5,833 |
| 2015 | Boys | 560 | #512 |
| 2014 | Girls | 30 | #4,657 |
| 2014 | Boys | 580 | #484 |
When Was Rhys Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2024 · Boys
952 recorded births
National rank #352
2023 · Boys
931 recorded births
National rank #353
2025 · Boys
778 recorded births
National rank #410
2021 · Boys
750 recorded births
National rank #413
Where Rhys Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| DE | #126 | 8 |
| PA | #138 | 92 |
| RI | #155 | 7 |
| VA | #237 | 36 |
| MA | #264 | 22 |
| WI | #273 | 21 |
| NJ | #302 | 29 |
| WA | #309 | 24 |