Reece is a given name of Welsh origin, meaning "ardor" or "enthusiasm." It is derived from the Welsh word "rhos," which means "upsurge" or "spurt." The name Reece has been used as both a boys' and girls' name in recent years.
The earliest known usage of the name Reece was as a surname, which originated as an Anglicized form of the Welsh name Rhys. Rhys was a popular name among medieval Welsh nobility, and it is believed that many of the early Reese families were descended from this ancient line.
Over time, Reece began to be used as a given name in its own right, particularly in Wales and other parts of Britain. In recent decades, its use has spread internationally, with Reece now being found on baby name lists around the world.
Some notable people named Reece include American basketball player Jamal Crawford, Australian actor Ryan Kwanten, and British singer-songwriter Reece Mastin. However, despite its increasing popularity, Reece remains a relatively uncommon name compared to some other choices today.
The name Reece has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 6 babies named Reece in 1994. However, by 2003, the number of annual births with this name had reached 180, marking a significant jump in popularity.
The peak of popularity for the name Reece occurred between 2007 and 2009, with 253, 269, and 244 babies named Reece respectively. This period represents the highest point in terms of number of births for this particular name over the past three decades.
Since 2010, there has been a steady decline in the popularity of the name Reece, with the number of annual births fluctuating between 179 and 225. Despite this decline, it remains relatively popular compared to its initial years of low popularity in the early 1990s.
In total, over the past three decades, there have been a total of 4591 babies named Reece in the United States. This statistic demonstrates that while the name may not be as popular today as it once was, it remains a well-known and widely-used choice among parents for their children's names.