Reece first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Reece has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Reece

Derived from the Welsh name Rhys, meaning enthusiasm or ardent.

Popularity of Reece by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Reece is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 80% of people named Reece being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 686 male babies and 171 female babies born with the name Reece.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 686 171
2022 560 127
2021 483 130
2020 470 137
2019 482 133
2018 455 147
2017 458 160
2016 477 176
2015 492 179
2014 512 217
2013 510 225
2012 558 198
2011 617 221
2010 630 202
2009 654 269
2008 716 244
2007 676 253
2006 700 227
2005 779 218
2004 695 219
2003 757 180
2002 779 152
2001 798 104
2000 661 102
1999 564 78
1998 485 43
1997 293 34
1996 256 28
1995 260 11
1994 252 6
1993 220 0
1992 216 0
1991 166 0
1990 165 0
1989 140 0
1988 152 0
1987 115 0
1986 107 0
1985 67 0
1984 51 0
1983 42 0
1982 40 0
1981 31 0
1980 41 0
1979 33 0
1978 16 0
1977 27 0
1976 27 0
1975 23 0
1974 17 0

The history of the first name Reece

The name Reece has its origins in the Welsh language and culture, with its roots tracing back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Welsh word "rhys," which means "ardor" or "enthusiasm." The name gained popularity in Wales during the Middle Ages and was often associated with individuals of prominent status or nobility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Reece can be found in the historical records of the Welsh princes and rulers. In the 12th century, a Welsh prince named Rhys ap Gruffydd, also known as The Lord Rhys, played a significant role in the struggle against Norman rule in Wales. His legacy contributed to the enduring popularity of the name among the Welsh people.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Reece or its variations. One such individual was Reece Winstone (1900-1991), a Welsh actor known for his roles in films like "The Elephant Man" and "The Dresser." Another prominent bearer of the name was Reece Shearsmith (born 1969), an English actor, writer, and comedian best known for his work in shows like "The League of Gentlemen" and "Inside No. 9."

In the literary realm, Reece Pemberton (1904-1950) was an American novelist and short story writer whose works often explored themes of race and social injustice. Additionally, Reece Wilkinson (1890-1968) was a British artist known for his landscape paintings and depictions of rural life.

While the name Reece has Welsh roots, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and languages. For instance, in English-speaking countries, the name has gained popularity as a variant of the more common name "Rhys." It has also been used as a surname, although this report focuses solely on its use as a given name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Reece was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Reece, please contact us.

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"Reece first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 21, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/reece-meaning-and-history/.

"Reece first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/reece-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 21 November, 2024

Reece first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/reece-meaning-and-history/.

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