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.  Though technically, my grandmother’s family is from Wales and, it must be said, they were not particularly nostalgic for the place they’d left behind, though I do have a few Olwyns and such hanging from the family tree.

Perhaps that’s why Rhys has always held such appeal.  While many Welsh names sound a bit like JRR Tolkein invented them for a fairy princess, this one sounds as down-to-Earth and practical as many a solid boys’ name – Jack, Mike, Dave.  But the spelling is unmistakably borrowed from a foreign land.

While Reese is much in favor with daughters these days – thanks to the charming Miss Witherspoon, who was actually born Laura – the spelling Rhys remains solidly in the boy’s camp.  Reese charted at #159 for girls and #433 for boys in 2006.  Rhys barely cracked the Top 1000, just sliding in at #915 for boys.  (In fact, it was completely unranked until 2004.)  The spelling Reece ranked #413 for boys and was unranked for girls.

While Reese and Reece are fine with us here on ApMtn, they don’t seem nearly as distinctive as the Welsh original.  Rhys was worn by 11th and 12th century rulers of Wales, and has been in steady use as a given name and surname for at least that long.

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 Rhys ap Gruffydd, the Prince of Deheubarth.

Of course, he may stumble across any number of other men called Rhys on his journey – on the opposite side of the Atlantic, Rhys is the equivalent of Jake on our shores.  It ranked #5 in 2006.

Assuming you’re planning on raising your son in the US, however, this choice will be interesting, chock full of history and shared with very few others.