Declining since 2000, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Rees since 1914
Babies named Rees per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 29 |
| 1920s | 0 | 39 |
| 1930s | 0 | 35 |
| 1940s | 0 | 54 |
| 1950s | 0 | 36 |
| 1960s | 0 | 45 |
| 1970s | 0 | 18 |
| 1980s | 0 | 58 |
| 1990s | 7 | 184 |
| 2000s | 62 | 287 |
| 2010s | 50 | 169 |
| 2020s | 17 | 60 |
Meaning & origin
The name Rees has been in use in the United States since at least 1914, but it remains relatively uncommon. It reached its peak popularity in the year 2000, after which it has been on a downward trajectory. With a current rank of 6,143 and an incidence of about 1 in 122,005 babies in 2025, it is a rare choice. The name is a variant of the Welsh Rhys, a name with ancient roots in Wales, and is often chosen by families with Welsh heritage or those seeking a simple, strong-sounding name. While it is most often given to boys, it has occasionally been used as a unisex name, likely influenced by famous bearers of the similar name Reese.
Rees is a variant spelling of the Welsh name Rhys, which is derived from the Old Welsh name Ris, meaning 'ardor' or 'enthusiasm'. It has been used in Wales since medieval times and spread to England and other English-speaking countries. The spelling Rees is less common than Rhys but has been used as both a given name and a surname.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Rees
Names that share Rees's style, for a brother or sister.
