Names › Boys' names › R › Rhys

Rhys

Meaning: ardour, enthusiasm · Origin: Welsh · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

A Welsh name meaning 'ardour'. Rhys ap Gruffydd ruled the kingdom of Deheubarth in the 12th century.

Famous people named Rhys

Rhys Ifans (actor)
Rhys Darby (comedian)

Nicknames

Rhy

Variants & related names

Reece, Rees, Reese

Rhys name art

A free preview of a printable “Rhys” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Rhys mean?

Rhys means “ardour, enthusiasm”. It comes from Welsh.

Is Rhys a popular name?

Rhys is a familiar boys' name in the UK and Australia. For exact current rankings, see the Office for National Statistics (England and Wales) and Australian state birth registries.

What are nicknames for Rhys?

Rhy.

What are other forms of Rhys?

Reece, Rees, Reese.

Similar names

Dylan · Evan · Owen · Ryan · Roman · Robert

More: names starting with R · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.