Rex

Pronunciation: [ r-EHKS ]

Boy Name #793 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

The original king — bold, brief, and regal

English Latin American

Strong Bold Classic Royal Minimalist

Meaning & Origin

"king"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

"ruler, sovereign"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

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.

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

Famous People Named Rex

Rex Orange County

Musician

1998

British indie pop musician known for introspective, genre-blending songs

T-Rex (Marc Bolan)

Musician

1947

English glam rock band fronted by Marc Bolan, known for 'Bang a Gong' and 'Telegram Sam'

Rex Harrison

Actor

1908

British actor who won Academy Award and Tony Award for My Fair Lady; known for 'talking' his way through songs

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

Rexton #3828

Pairs Well With

Rex James Rex Oliver Rex Arthur Rex Henry Rex William Rex Theodore

Sibling Names

Max Leo Augustus Vivienne Cordelia Victoria

Also a Girl Name

Rex is also used as a girl name, ranked #37784.

View Rex as a girl name →

Similar Names

Jack Mack Zack Maxwell Mac Fox Max Maxim

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.

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.

Rex