MallowbyNames

Rece

RhysREES · Probably a variant of Reese, from the Welsh personal name Rhys, meaning 'enthusiasm' or 'ardor'.

2025 rank (boys)
#8,243
Babies named in 2025
9
Peak popularity
2002
2025 frequency
1 in 189,786 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 2020

Rising since 2020, #8,243 for boys today.

Popularity of Rece since 1995

Babies named Rece per year in U.S. Social Security records.

173451200020102020Most births 2002Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1990s66
2000s302
2010s113
2020s41

Meaning & origin

Rece is a modern spelling variant of the Welsh name Rhys, better known in its anglicized forms Reese and Reece. The name Rhys has a long history in Wales, borne by princes and prominent figures since the Middle Ages, and its core meaning reflects enthusiasm and passion. The variant Rece first appeared in U.S. records in 1995, with a peak in popularity around 2002, when it ranked 8,243rd. Since 2020, its trajectory has been rising, indicating a renewed interest in this streamlined spelling. As a relatively rare name, it offers distinctiveness while retaining a familiar sound, appealing to parents looking for a modern twist on a classic Welsh name.

Rece is likely a modern respelling of Reese, which derives from the Welsh name Rhys (also anglicized as Reece). The name Rhys is an ancient Welsh name, borne by several medieval Welsh rulers, and its meaning is generally interpreted as 'enthusiasm' or 'ardor'. The variant spelling Rece appears to be a 20th or 21st century American innovation.

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Reece, Reese, Rhys

Sibling names for Rece

Names that share Rece's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Riley, Avery, Parker, Quinn, Morgan

Brothers: Cade, Brooks, Cole, Jace, Kyle

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

R is for Rece, our favorite little boy.

R is for Rece…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Rece's letter becomes Rece's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Rece's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Rece mean?
Rece is likely a variant of Reese, which comes from the Welsh name Rhys, meaning 'enthusiasm' or 'ardor'.
How popular is the name Rece?
It ranked 8,243rd in the United States in 2025, with about 1 in every 189,786 baby boys given that name.
Is Rece a boy's or girl's name?
It is used primarily for boys, though names like Reese are more unisex; Rece remains strongly masculine in usage.