The first name Reese

In 2025, 15 girls were named Reese, making it the 1,892nd most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 2006, with 38 births (#796).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Reese with other names.

In 2025, 1,631 girls born in the United States were named Reese, the 192nd most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2012, when 2,459 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Reese Witherspoon
  American actress (born 1976)
• Reese Hoffa
  American shot putter, born 1977
• Philip Reese Uhler
  American entomologist and librarian (1835-1913)
• Jaedyn Shaw
  American soccer player, born 2004
• Bill Perkins
  American jazz musician (1924–2003)

• Ellis
• Tegan
• Bryn
• Emlyn
• Gwyn
• Ceri

All 78 names of Welsh origin

What does the name Reese mean?

Reese means “ardor”, “giant” in Welsh.

What is the origin of the name Reese?

* As a given name and British surname generally from Welsh Rhys (literally “ardor”). * Chiefly in North America, the surname may also be from unrelated German Reese (literally “giant”).

How popular is the name Reese?

In 2025, 15 girls born in England and Wales were named Reese, ranking 1,892nd. Its peak was 2006, with 38 births.

Is Reese a boy's or a girl's name?

Both. Of the 64,381 US babies named Reese since 1880, 70% were girls and 30% boys.

When was Reese most popular?

2012 in the United States, when 2,459 babies were named Reese, its highest rank at 128th.

How do you pronounce Reese?

Reese is /ɹis/, one syllable.

Is Reese also a surname?

Yes. Reese is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.