"king"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Rex
Pronunciation: [ r-EHKS ]
Does Rex flow with your last name?
The original king — bold, brief, and regal
English
Latin
American
Strong
Bold
Classic
Royal
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"ruler, sovereign"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- T-Rex association (Tyrannosaurus Rex) can feel juvenile to some
The Story of Rex
Rex is the Latin word for 'king', one of the most direct royal names in any language. It was used as a given name in the English-speaking world from the late 19th century, partly as a shortened form of Reginald (also meaning king, from Germanic). The name's one-syllable punch and clear meaning made it popular in the early 20th century, and it has been experiencing a modern revival.
Rex was moderately popular in the United States from the 1920s-1960s. It declined during the mid-20th century but has been rising again since the 2010s as parents rediscover classic one-syllable names. Its association with dogs (Rex was a common dog name) is fading as the name reasserts itself for humans.
Rex means 'king' in Latin and was used in Roman culture as both a title and sometimes a name (though Roman kings were early and brief). In English-speaking countries, Rex was revived as a given name in the Victorian era. The name carries associations with royalty and authority across cultures that have Latin influences.
Historical Record
Rex first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 37,677 babies have been named Rex in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rex is past its peak , currently ranked #793 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rex is literally the Latin word for 'king', making it one of the most semantically direct royal names
- The Tyrannosaurus Rex ('tyrant lizard king') is the most famous bearer of the Rex name
- Rex Harrison won both Tony and Oscar Awards for his portrayal of Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady
Rex in Other Languages
Latin
Rex
French
Roi
German
König
Italian
Re
Spanish
Rey
Portuguese
Rei
Popularity Over Time
#793
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rex
R
Rex Orange County
Musician
1998
British indie pop musician known for introspective, genre-blending songs
T
T-Rex (Marc Bolan)
Musician
1947
English glam rock band fronted by Marc Bolan, known for 'Bang a Gong' and 'Telegram Sam'
R
Rex Harrison
Actor
1908
British actor who won Academy Award and Tony Award for My Fair Lady; known for 'talking' his way through songs
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #793
- Total SSA Count
- 316
- Cultural Origins
- English Latin American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rex
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Rex is also used as a girl name, ranked #37784.
View Rex as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rex
What does the name Rex mean?
"king" (from Latin). "ruler, sovereign" (from Latin). Rex is the Latin word for 'king', one of the most direct royal names in any language. It was used as a given name in the English-speaking world from the late 19th century, partly as a shortened form of Reginald (also meaning king, from Germanic). The name's one-syllable punch and clear meaning made it popular in the early 20th century, and it has been experiencing a modern revival.
What is the origin of the name Rex?
Rex has Latin, English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "king". In Latin, it means "ruler, sovereign".
Is Rex a boy or girl name?
Rex is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #793. As a girl name, it is ranked #37784. Rex is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Rex?
Rex is pronounced r-EHKS.
How popular is the name Rex?
Rex is currently ranked #793 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Rex?
Popular middle name pairings include Rex James, Rex Oliver, Rex Arthur, Rex Henry, Rex William, and Rex Theodore.
What are good sibling names for Rex?
Names that pair well with Rex as siblings include Max, Leo, Augustus, Vivienne, Cordelia, and Victoria.
How many syllables does Rex have?
Rex has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rex a common or rare name?
Rex is moderately common, ranked #793 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Rex?
Are there other spellings for Rex?
Related spellings include Rexton.
About the Name Rex
Rex is a boy name with English, Latin, and American origins . The name means "king" in Latin .
Is Rex a boy or girl name? Rex is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #793 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #37,784. Rex is more commonly used as a boy name.
Rex is currently ranked #793 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Rex has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-EHKS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Rex include Rexton . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis