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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Rhys — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Rhyon|Rhysand
Welsh◈ Unisex · 54% boy · 46% girl→ Stable

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Rhys

◈

REES · 1 syllables

Share Rhys:
Compare with another name
Boy
#354
→ Stable
Boy
#354
Popularity score: 41
→ Stable
Peak
#353 in 2023
5yr
-1 ranks
Velocity
-1
Birth frequency
2.6 per 10,000 births
Girl
#3622
Popularity score: 17
↓ Fading
Peak
#2780 in 2022
5yr
-809 ranks
Velocity
-809
Birth frequency
1.2 per 100,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #354 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Welsh boy names
Rhys

Popularity score: 41  ·  SSA Rank: #354

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #3622 · Rising since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Welsh girl names
Rhys

Popularity score: 17  ·  SSA Rank: #3622

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
69
Higher than 69% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
→ Stable
-1 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Unknown
— · — · —
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
85
1 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Rhys scores well on meaning depth but there are tradeoffs — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
87
Name Trend28% of score
44
Uniqueness20% of score
85
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
WelshCelticUnisex1-syllableStrongConcisePassion-rootedPhonetic
Character
spirited intensitywelsh heritage
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Rhyss

versatilecommittedcharismaticskilleddedicated
STRONG
High confidence

Rhys is a Welsh unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #354 in the US in 2024.

Trend:→ Stable · -1 ranks
Feasibility:— · — · —
Popularity:#354 · niche
Rhys at a Glance
Meaning:Ardor, enthusiasm, or passion. Derived from the Old Welsh element 'rhus,' reflecting fiery temperament and spirited nature.
Language root:Old Welsh · Proto-Celtic
Peak rank:#353 in 2023
5yr change:-1 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #354 · Girl #3622
Notable bearers
Rhys Ifans
Welsh actor
Rhys Darby
New Zealand comedian and actor
Rhys Meyers
Irish actor
Similar Sound
Reese◈Rees◈Rise◈Reis◈RoyceRys
Similar Style
CianSoren◈Finn◈Cade◈Rowan◈Liam
Works well with
Wren◈IvyHazelCianFinn◈Bryn◈SiennaRowan◈
You Might Also Like
Cian
Irish · #1525
↓ Declining
Soren◈
Scandinavian · #571
→ Stable
Finn◈
Irish · #198
→ Stable
Cade◈
Celtic · #272
→ Stable
Rowan◈
Celtic · #71
→ Stable
Liam
Irish · #1
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Rhys illustration
Name Intelligence
Rhys · Overview
Summary

Rhys is a Welsh unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #354 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 4/100 → Stable

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Rhys scores 69/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Works for any sex
54% boy · 46% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Strong character
Rhys carries a cool, grounded quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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