Rhys is a distinctive choice, ranked #355 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Rhys in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#355
US Rank #354
About the Name Rhys
Rhys has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 130 places in five years. It was most popular in 2006 at #49 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has featured in the UK top 100 for 17 years, demonstrating solid mainstream recognition.
Rhys is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
It ranks similarly in the US at #354, suggesting broad transatlantic appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Rhys
Unlikely. With around 124 UK babies named Rhys per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Rhys in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Rhys has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 130 places in the last five years. Its peak was #49 in 2006. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
Rhys is more popular in the US (#354) than in the UK (#355). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Rhys include: Rhys Nicholson — Rhys Nicholson is an Australian comedian and actor known for being a judge on Drag Race Down Under from 2021 onwards, as well as the spin-off Drag Race Down...; Rhys Williams (soccer, born 1988) — Rhys Williams is an Australian retired professional soccer player who played for the Australia national team.; Rhys ap Gruffudd — Rhys ap Gruffudd or was the ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales from 1155 to 1197..
Rhys appears in the US top 500 at #354 in 2024 — moderately popular in America, though less so than in the UK.
124
UK babies named Rhys (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↓ 130 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Rhys
Likely around 1 other Rhys in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Rhys
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Rhys Nicholson is an Australian comedian and actor known for being a judge on Drag Race Down Under from 2021 onwards, as well as the spin-off Drag Race Down Under vs. the World.
Rhys Williams is an Australian retired professional soccer player who played for the Australia national team. A versatile player, Williams was adept at playing as a centre back, defensive midfielder and right back but was played in virtually every out-field position at some point for Middlesbrough including more attacking roles.
Rhys ap Tewdwr was a king of Deheubarth in Wales and member of the Dinefwr dynasty, a branch descended from Rhodri the Great. Following the Norman Conquest, he had to pay William the Conqueror to keep his kingdom, which lasted until the end of William's reign.
Rhys Mechyll was a Welsh prince, Lord of Dinefwr, of the House of Dinefwr and Kingdom of Deheubarth in southern Wales from 1234 to 1244. He was a son of prince Rhys Gryg ("Rhys the Hoarse"), son of prince Rhys ap Gruffydd, "The Lord Rhys", ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth.
Rhys ap Gruffudd or was the ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales from 1155 to 1197. Today, he is commonly known as The Lord Rhys, in Welsh Yr Arglwydd Rhys, although this title may have not been used in his lifetime.
Myvanwy Rhys, also spelled Myfanwy Rhŷs, was a Welsh suffragist and historian. She was elected to the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, a Welsh learned society, later becoming a vice-president of the society.