"ardor, enthusiasm, fire"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
Reese
Pronunciation: [ r-EES ]
Does Reese flow with your last name?
A fiery Welsh name meaning 'ardor and enthusiasm'
Welsh
English
American
Modern
Bold
Minimalist
Strong
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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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.
Historical Record
Reese first appeared in US Social Security records in 1959.
Over 43,133 babies have been named Reese in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reese is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #190 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#190
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Reese
R
Reese Witherspoon
Actor
1976
Academy Award-winning actress known for Legally Blonde and Walk the Line, and founder of Hello Sunshine media company
R
Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys)
Military
1132
Most powerful Welsh ruler of the 12th century, defender of Welsh independence
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Compare Reese with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reese
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Reese is also used as a boy name, ranked #621.
View Reese as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Reese →Compare Reese with...
Same Origin Names (Welsh)
See all Welsh names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Reese
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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.
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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