Rennis
A masculine name potentially derived from the French term "reine" meaning "queen".
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Rennis. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Rennis today is around 85 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Rennis births was 1950 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Rennis. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Rennis is about 85 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Rennis' were born before 1951.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Rennis. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1950
5 babies that year
Average age
85
years old
1950 SSA rank
#4,100
Tracked since 1950
Popularity
Rennis: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Rennis by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Rennis during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Rennis
The given name Rennis is a relatively obscure one, with its origins shrouded in mystery. Despite extensive research, no definitive cultural or linguistic source could be pinpointed as the root of this name. However, there are a few theories that shed light on its possible origins.
One plausible theory suggests that Rennis may have derived from the ancient Germanic languages, potentially stemming from the Old Norse word "renna," which translates to "flow" or "run." This could imply that the name was initially associated with rivers, streams, or a nomadic lifestyle. Alternatively, some scholars speculate that Rennis may have evolved from the Old English word "rennan," which also means "to run" or "to flow."
The earliest recorded instances of the name Rennis can be traced back to the 12th century, where it appears in a few scattered historical documents from various regions of Europe. However, these mentions are scarce and provide little context about the individuals bearing this name.
Throughout history, a handful of notable figures have carried the name Rennis, though their legacies have often been overshadowed by their more illustrious contemporaries.
One such figure was Rennis of Cologne (c. 1180 - 1245), a German monk and scholar who authored several treatises on theology and philosophy during the High Middle Ages. His works, though not widely renowned, influenced the intellectual discourse of his era.
In the 16th century, Rennis Alfort (1521 - 1583) was a French artisan who gained recognition for his intricate woodcarvings and furniture designs. His creations adorned the homes of several noble families in Paris and its surrounding regions.
The 17th century saw the birth of Rennis Bradshaw (1635 - 1702), an English poet and playwright whose works were moderately popular during the Restoration period. While not a household name, his plays were performed in various theaters across London.
In the 19th century, Rennis Caldwell (1810 - 1878) was an American inventor and engineer who held several patents for agricultural machinery. His innovations contributed to the development of more efficient farming practices in the United States.
Lastly, Rennis Emerson (1901 - 1979) was a British aviator and World War II veteran who participated in several key battles and missions during the conflict. His bravery and skill as a pilot earned him several military honors and commendations.
While the name Rennis may not be among the most common or widely recognized, these individuals have left an indelible mark on various aspects of history, each contributing to their respective fields and shaping the world in their own unique ways.
People
Rennis + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Rennis as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Rennis: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Rennis?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Rennis going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Rennis a common name?
We classify Rennis as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Rennis most popular?
The single biggest year for Rennis was 1950, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Rennis is about 85 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Rennis in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Rennis a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Rennis in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Rennis still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Rennis in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Rennis can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Rennis?
Find out how many people share the name Rennis on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.