Rhys

Rhys is a masculine given name and a last name of Welsh origin. A variation of the Old Welsh Ris, Rhys' roots grow deep into Welsh culture and history. Several kings have borne this name, particularly in the kingdom of Deheubarth, including Rhys ap Tewdwr and Rhys ab Owain ab Edwin. With meanings like "ardor" and "enthusiasm," Rhys likely denoted a fiery warrior and will suit your kiddo when they're feeling unstoppable. With a name like this, your child can feel comfortable letting their passion shine.

Rhys has modern stardom, too, borne by Welsh actors John Rhys-Davies and Rhys Ifans, and Irish actor Johnathan Rhys Meyers. Literary fans will also love this connection to the fictional character Rhys from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, whose full name is Rhysand. In a nutshell, The Bump member ycristina84 says it best: "Rhys is perfection! Great spelling, great history, great name!"

Fun Facts About the Name Rhys

• It's pronounced "Rhys," not "Reece": While English speakers pronounce Rhys identically to Reece (a standard "R" sound), "Rh" is a distinct letter in the Welsh alphabet that sounds like a rolled R. While non-Welsh speakers treat the "h" as silent, in traditional Welsh, it represents a distinct puff of air before the vowel sound.
• A Commonwealth classic: Long before it became a US favorite, Rhys was championing the baby name charts in the UK, Australia and New Zealand thanks to the Welsh diaspora.
• The many spellings of Rhys: Prior to the 20th century, Welsh immigrants to North America named Rhys were frequently logged under phonetic misspellings. Ryce, Riss, Reese and even Rice are just some examples found in historical records. As a result, tracing genealogies for early American families with the name Rhys can be challenging.