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The short answer
Rhys is a masculine name used in Welsh and English. Behind the Name describes it this way: "From Old Welsh Ris, probably meaning ‘ardour, enthusiasm’. Several Welsh rulers have borne this name, including the 12th-century Rhys ap Gruffydd who fought against the invading Normans." It ranked #412 for boys in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, from Old Welsh Ris, probably meaning ‘ardour, enthusiasm’. Several Welsh rulers have borne this name, including the 12th-century Rhys ap Gruffydd who fought against the invading Normans. The entry lists its usage as Welsh, English.
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Rhys ranked #412 for boys in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #412 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Welsh) and that sit near Rhys in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rhys mean?
Rhys means "ardour, enthusiasm", according to Behind the Name.
Is Rhys a popular name?
Rhys ranked #412 for boys in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Rhys a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Rhys appears in the boys' list; Behind the Name labels it masculine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Rhys — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
