What does Eirian mean?
Eirian means “bright” or “beautiful” in Welsh.
What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
Eirian vs Rhys
Which is more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Eirian today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 7 named Eirian.
| Eirian | Rhys | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, beautiful | Ardor, enthusiasm |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AY-ree-an | REES |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| First appeared | 2024 | 1929 |
| Peak year | 2024 (14) | 2024 (952) |
| In 2025 | 7 | 778 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Eirian
Rhys
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Eirian | Rhys |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 21 | 4,857 |
| 2010s | 0 | 5,915 |
| 2000s | 0 | 2,215 |
| 1990s | 0 | 696 |
| 1980s | 0 | 314 |
| 1970s | 0 | 86 |
| 1960s | 0 | 111 |
| 1950s | 0 | 105 |
| 1940s | 0 | 27 |
| 1920s | 0 | 8 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Eirian or Rhys more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Eirian today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 7 named Eirian.
What is the difference between Eirian and Rhys?
Eirian means Bright, beautiful (Welsh origin), while Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Eirian or Rhys?
In US records, Eirian first appears in 2024 and Rhys in 1929, so Rhys has the longer recorded history.