Find out how popular the first name Ries has been for the last 21 years (from 1999 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ries by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Ries is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ries.

The history of the first name Ries

The given name Ries has its origins in the Germanic languages, specifically Dutch and Low German. It is a variant of the more common name Reyes, which is derived from the Old French word "reis" or the Spanish word "rey," both meaning "king."

In the Middle Ages, Ries was a popular name among the nobility and ruling classes of the Low Countries, particularly in the regions of modern-day Netherlands, Belgium, and northern Germany. The name was associated with power, leadership, and regal qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ries can be found in the chronicles of the Merovingian dynasty, which ruled the Franks from the 5th to the 8th century. The name appears in reference to a Frankish nobleman named Ries von Aachen, who served as a trusted advisor to King Clovis I in the late 5th century.

During the Renaissance period, the name Ries gained popularity among the wealthy merchant classes of the Hanseatic League, a powerful commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northern Europe. Notable figures from this time include Ries van Hoorn (1460-1524), a Dutch merchant and explorer who voyaged to the Americas and established trade routes in the Caribbean.

In the 17th century, Ries was a common name among the Dutch settlers who colonized parts of South Africa and the Cape Colony. One prominent individual was Ries van Riebeeck (1619-1677), a Dutch colonial administrator who founded the city of Cape Town and served as the first governor of the Cape Colony.

Another historical figure with the name Ries was Ries Pienaar (1894-1942), a South African military officer and decorated World War I veteran who later served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Union Defence Force during World War II.

In the realm of art and literature, the name Ries is associated with Dutch painter Ries Mulder (1881-1954), known for his impressionist landscapes and portraits, and German author Ries Jakob Buhl (1777-1857), who wrote several novels and plays during the Romantic era.

While the name Ries has its roots in Dutch and Low German cultures, it has also been adopted and adapted in various other languages and cultures over time, reflecting the widespread influence and migrations of the Germanic peoples throughout history.

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 Ries was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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