What does Bryn mean?
Bryn means “hill” in Welsh.
What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
Bryn vs Rhys
Which is more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Bryn today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 12 named Bryn.
| Bryn | Rhys | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Hill | Ardor, enthusiasm |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | BRIN | REES |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1947 | 1929 |
| Peak year | 1990 (45) | 2024 (952) |
| In 2025 | 12 | 778 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Bryn
Rhys
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Bryn | Rhys |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 83 | 4,857 |
| 2010s | 153 | 5,915 |
| 2000s | 162 | 2,215 |
| 1990s | 261 | 696 |
| 1980s | 295 | 314 |
| 1970s | 181 | 86 |
| 1960s | 132 | 111 |
| 1950s | 54 | 105 |
| 1940s | 8 | 27 |
| 1920s | 0 | 8 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Bryn or Rhys more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Bryn today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 12 named Bryn.
What is the difference between Bryn and Rhys?
Bryn means Hill (Welsh origin), while Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Bryn or Rhys?
In US records, Bryn first appears in 1947 and Rhys in 1929, so Rhys has the longer recorded history.