Reece

Pronunciation: [ r-EES ]

Boy Name #455 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

A fiery Welsh royal name meaning passion and ardor

Welsh English American

Classic Strong Minimalist Bold Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"enthusiasm, ardent"

Origin: Old Welsh

Language: Welsh

"passion, fire"

Origin: Welsh

Language: English

The Story of Reece

Reece is an English phonetic spelling of the Welsh name Rhys, one of the oldest and most revered names in Wales. Rhys derives from the Old Welsh rhud or ardor, meaning enthusiasm, passion, or ardent. The name was borne by several medieval Welsh princes, most famously The Lord Rhys (Rhys ap Gruffudd, 1132-1197), who was considered the greatest Welsh ruler of the 12th century.

The Reece spelling gained American popularity as an anglicized alternative to the Welsh Rhys, making the pronunciation clear for English speakers. It consistently ranks in the top 500 US boys names and has gained additional visibility through British-Welsh actors.

Rhys/Reece is deeply embedded in Welsh culture, one of the defining names of the Welsh people. The Lord Rhys hosted the first recorded Eisteddfod (Welsh cultural festival) in 1176. The name remains a symbol of Welsh heritage and pride.

Fun Facts

The Lord Rhys organized the first recorded Eisteddfod in Cardigan Castle in 1176
Rhys is consistently one of the top 5 boys names in Wales

Reece in Other Languages

Welsh Rhys

French Rhys

English Reece

Famous People Named Reece

Reece James

Athlete

2000

English professional footballer who plays for Chelsea and the England national team

Rhys Ifans

Actor

1967

Welsh actor known for Notting Hill, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Elementary

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #455
Total SSA Count: 686
Cultural Origins: Welsh English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Nicknames

Ree Rey Reeie

Pairs Well With

Reece James Reece William Reece Alexander Reece Thomas Reece Owen Reece Morgan Reece Gareth

Sibling Names

Owen Evan Finn Dylan Gwen Morgan Bryn

Also a Girl Name

Reece is also used as a girl name, ranked #1434.

View Reece as a girl name →

Similar Names

Ross Reese Wes Reed Reeves Brooks Reese Rhys

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Frequently Asked Questions About Reece

What does the name Reece mean?

"enthusiasm, ardent" (from Old Welsh). "passion, fire" (from Welsh). Reece is an English phonetic spelling of the Welsh name Rhys, one of the oldest and most revered names in Wales. Rhys derives from the Old Welsh rhud or ardor, meaning enthusiasm, passion, or ardent. The name was borne by several medieval Welsh princes, most famously The Lord Rhys (Rhys ap Gruffudd, 1132-1197), who was considered the greatest Welsh ruler of the 12th century.

What is the origin of the name Reece?

Reece has Old Welsh, Welsh, English, and American origins. In Old Welsh, it means "enthusiasm, ardent". In Welsh, it means "passion, fire".

Is Reece a boy or girl name?

Reece is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #455. As a girl name, it is ranked #1434. Reece is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Reece?

Reece is pronounced r-EES.

How popular is the name Reece?

Reece is currently ranked #455 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Reece?

Common nicknames for Reece include Ree, Rey, and Reeie.

What are good middle names for Reece?

Popular middle name pairings include Reece James, Reece William, Reece Alexander, Reece Thomas, Reece Owen, Reece Morgan, and Reece Gareth.

What are good sibling names for Reece?

Names that pair well with Reece as siblings include Owen, Evan, Finn, Dylan, Gwen, Morgan, and Bryn.

How many syllables does Reece have?

Reece has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Reece a common or rare name?

Reece is a popular name, ranked #455 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Reece

Reece is a boy name with Welsh, English, and American origins . The name means "enthusiasm, ardent" in Old Welsh .

Is Reece a boy or girl name? Reece is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #455 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,434. Reece is more commonly used as a boy name.

Reece is currently ranked #455 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Reece has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-EES, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Reece include Ree, Rey, and Reeie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.