Reece

♀ Girl

Pronounced REES /riːs/Low

Meaning: Ardor, enthusiasm, passionate spiritLow

In 30 seconds: Reece is a Welsh name meaning ardor or enthusiasm, a feminine/unisex spelling of the traditional Welsh name Rhys. More common for boys, Reece has grown as a gender-neutral name particularly through its use for girls since the 2000s.

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Origin LowWelsh

MeaningArdor, enthusiasm, passionate spirit

U.S. rank (2025)#1149 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births202 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,948

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Reece is an anglicized variant of the Welsh name Rhys meaning ardor, enthusiasm, or passion. The Welsh diphthong rh was simplified to r in English, giving us Reece, Reese, and Rees as anglicized forms.

Reece for girls was boosted by actress Reese Witherspoon (born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon), who carries her grandmother's surname as her professional first name. The Reece spelling is the more distinctly feminine-looking variant.

Did you know? The Welsh name Rhys has been borne by Welsh kings and princes for over a thousand years. Lord Rhys (1132-1197) was the greatest ruler of medieval Wales, making this a name with genuine royal Welsh heritage.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Rhys

Variations

RhysReeseRees

Nicknames

Ree

Famous Bearers

★Reese Witherspoon (b. 1976)
American actress and producer, Academy Award winner for Walk the Line (the given name Reese is a variant of Reece)

If you like Reece…

Reese— Alternate spelling of same name

Rhys— Traditional Welsh form

Bryce— One-syllable Celtic name with same energy

Quinn— One-syllable Welsh/Irish gender-neutral name

Explore names like Reece

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Frequently Asked

What does Reece mean?

Reece means ardor or enthusiasm in Welsh, as an anglicized form of the traditional Welsh name Rhys.

Is Reece a girl's name?

Reece is gender-neutral but growing for girls in the US. The Reece spelling is more commonly used for girls while Rhys is more masculine.

How do you pronounce Reece?

Reece is pronounced REES, a single syllable.

Who is a famous Reece/Reese?

Actress Reese Witherspoon uses her grandmother's surname Reese as her professional first name.