Rees
Boy name · 18 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Rees: 18 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 1991.
Rooted in Welsh and Cornish heritage, Rees is a variant of Rhys, derived from the Old Welsh *Rīs* or *Rīx*, meaning "enthusiasm" or "ardour"—a name that suggests a passionate, energetic spirit. In Scotland, it gained a distinctly modern edge, sharing its sound with the anglicised spelling preferred by many families since the 1970s. Perhaps its most famous bearer is the Welsh actor and writer Rhys Ifans, celebrated for his roles in *Notting Hill* and *The English*, whose surname itself echoes the same root. The name also connects to the historic Rhys dynasty, medieval rulers of Deheubarth in Wales, lending it a quiet, princely depth. A notable correlation: while Rees remains less common than Rhys in Scotland, it mirrors the McKenna effect—where a phonetic, streamlined spelling takes on a fresh, international appeal without losing its Celtic soul.
Boy 5 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 19915 babies
- Latest (2006)
- #5843 babies
- Total births
- 18since 1991
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y