Rhys
Rhys is a boys' name of Celtic origin meaning “ardor, passion, enthusiasm.” It ranked #324 in the United States in 2025. One of the great Welsh names, borne by Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys), the most powerful ruler of medieval Deheubarth.
how do you pronounce Rhys?
REES
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Rhys mean?
The name Rhys means “ardor, passion, enthusiasm.” It comes from the Celtic language tradition.
One of the great Welsh names, borne by Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys), the most powerful ruler of medieval Deheubarth. The name means ardor or passion. Despite its single syllable, it carries the full weight of Welsh princely heritage and fiery spirit.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #324 |
| 2023 | #338 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
who are famous people named Rhys?
- Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys, medieval Welsh prince)
- Rhys Ifans (Welsh actor)
what names are similar to Rhys?
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
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