Reese

Pronunciation: [ r-EES ]

Girl Name #190 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

A fiery Welsh name meaning 'ardor and enthusiasm'

Welsh English American

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Meaning & Origin

"ardor, enthusiasm, fire"

Origin: Welsh

Language: Welsh

Things to Know About This Name

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups is a popular candy brand — while rarely a serious issue, some parents note the association

The Story of Reese

Reese is the anglicized form of the Welsh name Rhys, meaning 'ardor,' 'enthusiasm,' or 'fire.' Rhys was a royal Welsh name — Rhys ap Tewdwr was a powerful king of Deheubarth in medieval Wales, and the Lord Rhys (Rhys ap Gruffydd) was Wales's most celebrated medieval ruler. The softer spelling Reese became popular in America as a gender-neutral and then feminine name.

Reese rose sharply as a girl's name in the 2000s, primarily due to actress Reese Witherspoon's stardom. She was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon — using her mother's maiden name as her professional name. The name peaked around 2005–2010 for girls and continues to rise for both genders.

In Welsh history, Rhys is one of the most storied royal names, associated with the great warrior-kings who defended Wales against Norman conquest. As Reese, it carries a crisp, contemporary American feel while honoring Celtic roots.

Fun Facts

Reese Witherspoon's real name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon — Reese was her mother's maiden name
The Welsh royal Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys) ruled Deheubarth from 1155–1197
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were named after H.B. Reese, a candy maker who worked for Hershey

Reese in Other Languages

Welsh Rhys

French Reese

English Reese

Spanish Reese

Japanese リース

Famous People Named Reese

Reese Witherspoon

Actor

1976

Academy Award-winning actress known for Legally Blonde and Walk the Line, and founder of Hello Sunshine media company

Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys)

Military

1132

Most powerful Welsh ruler of the 12th century, defender of Welsh independence

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #190
Total SSA Count: 1,589
Cultural Origins: Welsh English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Nicknames

Ree Rey Reeie

Pairs Well With

Reese Ann Reese Marie Reese Lynn Reese Grace Reese Elaine Reese Joelle Reese Olivia

Sibling Names

Blake Quinn Sage Brooke Cole Sloane Tate

Also a Boy Name

Reese is also used as a boy name, ranked #621.

View Reese as a boy name →

Similar Names

Ross Pierce Price Reese Reece Wes Reed Brice

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Reese

What does the name Reese mean?

"ardor, enthusiasm, fire" (from Welsh). Reese is the anglicized form of the Welsh name Rhys, meaning 'ardor,' 'enthusiasm,' or 'fire.' Rhys was a royal Welsh name — Rhys ap Tewdwr was a powerful king of Deheubarth in medieval Wales, and the Lord Rhys (Rhys ap Gruffydd) was Wales's most celebrated medieval ruler. The softer spelling Reese became popular in America as a gender-neutral and then feminine name.

What is the origin of the name Reese?

Reese has Welsh, English, and American origins. In Welsh, it means "ardor, enthusiasm, fire".

Is Reese a boy or girl name?

Reese is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #190. As a boy name, it is ranked #621. Reese is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Reese?

Reese is pronounced r-EES.

How popular is the name Reese?

Reese is currently ranked #190 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Reese?

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

What are good middle names for Reese?

Popular middle name pairings include Reese Ann, Reese Marie, Reese Lynn, Reese Grace, Reese Elaine, Reese Joelle, and Reese Olivia.

What are good sibling names for Reese?

Names that pair well with Reese as siblings include Blake, Quinn, Sage, Brooke, Cole, Sloane, and Tate.

How many syllables does Reese have?

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

Is Reese a common or rare name?

Reese is a popular name, ranked #190 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Reese

Reese is a girl name with Welsh, English, and American origins . The name means "ardor, enthusiasm, fire" in Welsh .

Is Reese a boy or girl name? Reese is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #190 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #621. Reese is more commonly used as a girl name.

Reese is currently ranked #190 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

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

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