How to say it
REESE
ris
Unisex
Reese
Ardent, fiery
What it means
Anglicized Welsh Rhys, from a root meaning 'ardent, fiery, enthusiastic.' A traditional masculine Welsh name; the Reese spelling flipped feminine in the US in the 2000s.
Reese is the anglicization of the Welsh Rhys, from a root meaning 'ardent, fiery, enthusiastic.' Rhys ap Tewdwr was an 11th-century king of South Wales; the line of Welsh princes named Rhys is long. The Welsh Rhys is masculine; the English Reese spelling flipped feminine in the US in the 2000s, particularly after Reese Witherspoon's Hollywood breakout. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (named for confectioner H.B. Reese) is the candy anchor. As a first name it's been in the US top 200 since 2003. Single syllable, no shorter form.
How to spell Reese
The standard spelling is Reese. Common variants include Rhys, Reece, Rees, but Reese is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #128 in 2012, currently #192 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #369 in 2003, currently #603 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Reese is the dominant US spelling and reads feminine; Rhys is the Welsh masculine standard; Reece is the British masculine. Same pronunciation across all three.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Reese Witherspoon American actress and producer, Walk the Line (Oscar) and Legally Blonde
- Rhys ap Tewdwr 11th-century king of Deheubarth (South Wales)
Spelling variants
- Rhys
- Reece
- Rees
Names with the same feeling
See Reese from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Reese mean?
- Anglicized Welsh Rhys, from a root meaning 'ardent, fiery, enthusiastic.' A traditional masculine Welsh name; the Reese spelling flipped feminine in the US in the 2000s.
- What does Reese mean in Welsh?
- In Welsh, Reese means "Ardent, fiery." Reese is the anglicization of the Welsh Rhys, from a root meaning 'ardent, fiery, enthusiastic.' Rhys ap Tewdwr was an 11th-century king of South Wales; the line of Welsh princes named Rhys is long. The Welsh Rhys is masculine; the English Reese spelling flipped feminine in the US in the 2000s, particularly after Reese Witherspoon's Hollywood breakout. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (named for confectioner H.B. Reese) is the candy anchor. As a first name it's been in the US top 200 since 2003. Single syllable, no shorter form.
- How do you pronounce Reese?
- Reese is pronounced ris. Say it as REESE, with the stress on the "reese" syllable.
- How do you spell Reese?
- The standard spelling is Reese. Common spelling variants include Rhys, Reece, Rees.
- Is Reese a boy or girl name?
- Reese is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Reese?
- Reese ranked #192 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.