Rhyes
A Welsh place name and surname of uncertain meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Rhyes. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Rhyes today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Rhyes births was 2020 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Rhyes. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Rhyes. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2020
5 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2020 SSA rank
#13,630
Tracked since 2020
Popularity
Rhyes: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Rhyes 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 Rhyes during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Rhyes
The given name Rhyes is a relatively uncommon name with obscure origins. It is believed to have emerged from the ancient Celtic languages spoken in parts of Western Europe, particularly in regions now known as Wales and Ireland. Some linguists trace its roots back to the Old Welsh word "rhys," which means "ardent" or "fiery." However, its precise etymology remains uncertain and subject to debate among scholars.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rhyes can be found in medieval Welsh poetry and literature, where it was occasionally used as a poetic term to describe a fierce warrior or a passionate individual. It is thought that the name may have been derived from this poetic usage and later adopted as a given name.
In the 11th century, a notable figure named Rhyes ap Tewdwr (c. 1035-1093) emerged as a prominent Welsh prince and military leader. He played a significant role in the struggle against Norman invaders, and his name became associated with bravery and resistance in Welsh folklore.
During the 12th century, another individual named Rhyes ap Gruffydd (c. 1132-1197) gained prominence as a Welsh nobleman and Lord of Senghenydd. He was known for his leadership skills and involvement in various conflicts and negotiations with the English crown.
In the 16th century, a Scottish poet and scholar named Rhyes Cholm (c. 1510-1568) gained recognition for his contributions to Scottish literature. His works, written in both Scottish and Latin, explored themes of love, nature, and philosophy.
In the 19th century, a Welsh artist and engraver named Rhyes Williams (1801-1855) gained renown for his intricate etchings and engravings, which depicted landscapes and historical scenes from Wales. His works helped preserve and promote Welsh cultural heritage during a time of rapid industrialization and social change.
While the name Rhyes has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been carried by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields, from literature and art to military leadership and politics. Despite its obscure origins, the name continues to evoke a sense of passion, fierceness, and cultural heritage, particularly in Welsh and Celtic contexts.
People
Rhyes + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Rhyes 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
Rhyes: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Rhyes?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Rhyes 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Rhyes a common name?
We classify Rhyes as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% 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 Rhyes most popular?
The single biggest year for Rhyes was 2020, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Rhyes is about 6 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 Rhyes in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Rhyes a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Rhyes 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 Rhyes still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Rhyes 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 Rhyes 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 share the name Rhyes?
Want to know how many Americans are named Rhyes? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.