Editor’s note: This post was originally published on May 6, 2008 and substantially revised on November 15, 2011.
He’s a short, storied name for boys that brings to mind peanut butter cups and Hollywood actresses. But he should conjure up images of Wales.
Our Baby Name of the Day is Rhys.
I’ve never been to Cardiff, but I harbor romantic notions about Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. That’s Welsh for “Land of My Fathers,” the unofficial national anthem.
Like many a traditional boys’ name, Rhys is a single-syllable, but he’s far more exotic than Tom or Jack. His sound is conventional, but his spelling marks him as an import.
The name’s meaning translates roughly to enthusiasm, or perhaps ardor or eagerness. In any case, it’s a nice enough backstory for a simple and uncomplicated name. Should your son ever venture to Wales, he can even explore Cardigan Castle, briefly held by the twelfth century Rhys ap Gruffydd, the Prince of Deheubarth. Most accounts list him as a capable ruler, one who kept a Welsh kingdom together despite pressure from outside forces. His coat of arms appears above. He’s not the first Rhys, though – the name appears in the historical record in the century prior, worn by Rhys’ grandfather.
There are tons of notable men who have worn the name, most from the United Kingdom, where Rhys has a longer history of use. There are plenty of athletes, actors (Rhys Ifans is probably the best known at the moment), and a slew of fictional figures, too. Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers keeps the name in the public eye, and the current Countess of Wessex – wife of Prince Edward, and thus daughter-in-law to the Queen of England, was born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones.
But the best known Rhys probably isn’t a Rhys – or a he, even. Reese Witherspoon – born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon – has had a long, successful career spanning two decades. She’s propelled the name into favor for girls.
But there’s a clear split based on spelling:
- In 2006, Reese ranked #159 for girls and #443 for boys. By 2010, Reese had climbed slightly for girls, reaching #136, and fallen to #492 for boys.
- Alternative spelling Reece was #434 for boys in 2010, down a few places from his 2006 ranking of #413. The spelling is still unranked for girls.
- Then there’s Rhys. From #915 in 2006 for boys to #471 in 2010, Rhys is on fire.
Rhys feels almost unthinkable for a girl, while the other two spellings are less clearly tied to a gender.
As a surname, there are other possible origins for Rhys, and many accomplished individuals
His sound fits so well with the short, single-syllable boys’ names parents are embracing, like Cole and Jack. And just like many a trend, his popularity in the UK seems to presage a rise in the US. It’s impossible to say if Rhys will reach the heights enjoyed by those other names, but it seems possible.
If you’re looking for an unusual appellation that comes by a creative spelling naturally, Rhys is one to consider.
Love it! It’s one of those names that looks a bit silly until you realise it’s Welsh. Then it makes sense. If only the man liked it, it would be on my very short list, with James and Dexter and Theo.
I knew a Rhys Williams years ago. The names wears so well on a grown man – and I think it’s quite cute for a boy, too. But you’re right – if you don’t *know* the origin of the name, the “hy” looks a bit invented at first.
I love your comment on Rhys William, because I am planning on naming my little boy, Liam Rhys.
My sons are Owen and Rhys. I debated long and hard over the spelling Rhys or Reece, even after his birth! I was so torn, but Rhys seems to have so much more character and I loved the y in it, and the fact it was the Celtic version, as it seemed to “go with” my older son’s name Owen. People are unsure how to pronounce it at first and perhaps his life would have been easier if I spelt it Reece, but somehow it just doesn’t have the same sense of style. So I am hoping it catches on a little bit, just so it is doesn’t sound as obscure! Kara
You named your boys my two favorite names! You have excellent taste
I just adore Rhys, wish I could use it as a first name but as my husband is Japanese, it’s too wierd for his liking. Maybe as a middle name then…
thank you! we just had a third son, who we named Finn. Perhaps you might like Kai, which was also one on my list. I think it has Welsh and Japenese roots. Rhys is a cool name and once people adjust to seeing it they seem to like it.
Well, I used to think my name was Irish or something. Pretty close, even though I’m Indian.
Thanks ApMtn for clearing that up for me.
Personally I love the fact that it stands out simply by virtue of having no vowels in it. XD
Cheers!
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This is one of those names that will forever remain a guilty pleasure for me. I’d love to use it, but it clashes horribly with my one-syllable-starts-with-R last name.
Alas.
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To be quite honest, this kind of sounds like a girl’s name to me. Like it though!
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I always thought it was pronounced “Rizz.” I like either way, though. Nice name!
I do like the sound of Rhys, but people are still unable to pronounce this name and think it is ‘creative’ so it puts me off using it.
The first time I saw this name I was confused on how to pronounce it but once I found out it was the traditional welsh spelling for Reese I fell in love with this spelling. Its funny that with most other unisex names, using a “y” spelling would plant if firmly in the pink but this spelling is the only one of the three that is clearly male. I wonder how long that will last.
When the time comes for a second, Rhys Calder or Ezra Calder are my picks for a second boy. DH just needs to get on board! He prefers Dexter. I like that James and Rhys are very different in style, but are linked by the fact they’re both one syllable and end in S.
The first time I say this name, I thought it was pronounced “Rise”, which I quite like. “Reese” is okay for me. I think Witherspoon make me think of it as feminine.
Abby, just wanted to chime in that this updated post about Rhys has me looking at it in a whole new light. It’s going on the middle name list for sure as a Welsh heritage choice.
Wow! There are names that I think are pretty mundane, not common, but not “out there” names… Names that nearly everyone is familiar with and then I’m stunned when I find out they’re not. I had no idea, truly, that Rhys was a confusing one to pronounce or that it looked ‘creative’ to anyone… the spelling conundrum I already got – some people do it the Witherspoon way, some the Welsh way, some the peanutbutter cup way – but the pronunciation thing… no clue previously… When we were picking our son’s name, I’d have argued Rhys was a “nice, simple, everyone gets it” name, after I found out Imogen was such a challenge in the US (I knew it would be a challenge, just not how much of a challenge it really is)… and I’d have been so very wrong about Rhys! FWIW – I like Rhys. Is it kind of wrong that I like it more now that I realize he’s a bit less straight-forward? He’d have been on my list, except I like names with nns and my husband refuses all R names. Wow. Thanks, Abby – once again, realizing I’m clueless… and totally OK with that!
Rhys is a very strong contender should the baby we’re expecting at the end of December be a boy. I’d even say he’s usually front-runner. Even beyond the beautiful meaning (we’re definitely enthusiastic about this babe) and Welsh heritage choice, I just have always loved it. It’s got a simple, strong sound without sounding Manly McManerson. Solid, that’s how I see it.
Our son, Eben, gets plenty of prn. issues, but not nearly as many as I thought we’d encounter. One correction is usually enough. So I guess I’m prepared to take the leap with Rhys too
Rhys was on my short list if the girls had been boys. It’s one of the few traditionally Welsh names I like (or that aren’t horribly popular).
I love Rhys and my best friend just used it for her brand-new-baby-boy’s middle name! My cousin named his son Reece and they call him Reecy as a nickname. Ewww.
I think Reecy is one of those things that happens to parents set on nickname-proof names. You say to yourself “Reece is nice, no one can fool with it” but don’t realize you’ll be tempted to give your child a cute nickname. All of a sudden you’re calling Riley Ry-Ry or Cole Colesy.
I like Rhys but I prefer the Reese spelling. I think Reese is the one that has been charting for boys the longest, Reece is the highest, and Rhys the one climbing the fastest. So its an interesting job to choose the spelling.