About the name Reese
The origin of Reese is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Welsh roots, with the meaning “Ardor (variant of Rhys)”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.
Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Reese we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.
It has a modern, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Reese ranked #192 for girls in the US, with 1,631 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2012.
- US rank 2025
- #192
- In 2015
- #172
- Babies in 2025
- 1,631
Popularity of Reese, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
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Reese
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7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Reese on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Reese. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Reese
Reese is already short and sweet, so it doesn't usually get a nickname.
Names similar to Reese
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.