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.
In the above post the word “anger” on line 15 is meant to be “angel” … I got autocorrected and I cant edit the post.
Ciao! 😉
I’m a Rhys, male and at the time of writing this I’m 33. I can tell you it’s a cool name. People love it! Most people know its masculine, some get confused with the modern Witherspoon (Reese) American feminine counterpart. And others seem to think its like Rise, like the sun or a mythical great hero 😉
Rhys is the original, starting hundreds of years ago in Wales way before America or the new worlds were even thought to exist. Old Welsh towns are named after the name such as Penrhys. In Wales it’s pronounced HRHYS, in England it’s pronounced REESE. Many great ancient and celtic leaders and heros with amaizing stories bear the name. And when you arrive someday in Wales, you are treated like a king and beers are poured in your cup!
Now for the fun part. In social gatherings it’s a name people talk about. It has that real wow factor. Women seem to attract to its original one-syllable use unlike the cliches John or Michael, Peter or Paul it’s mysterious to them strongly said like a strike of lightning in the mind and heart. When people first hear this name they ask about it, the want to know more, where it came from, and like an anger where its bearer comes from and how he comes to appear before them, its a godly name and people wonder as the bearer holds its true mystery.
I love it and am so happy my mother took the time in thinking if this name. My father tried to actually call me boring old John. Aghhhhh I would have gaged. Believe me at social gatherings this names creates conversation! And your son will thank you when beautiful women want to know more about him and, like an angel, where he come from.
We named our son Rhys in 2013. Here in the US, lost of people pronounce it Rice or Rise, but we’re still in love with the name.
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.
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.
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).
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 🙂
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!
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.
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.
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.