What does Ellis mean?
From the Welsh Elis, a form of Elijah, “the Lord is my God,” and linked to “benevolent.”
What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
Ellis vs Rhys
Which is more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Rhys today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 778 named Rhys.
| Ellis | Rhys | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Benevolent; from Elijah | Ardor, enthusiasm |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | EL-iss | REES |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1929 |
| Peak year | 2025 (1,417) | 2024 (952) |
| In 2025 | 1,417 | 778 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ellis
Rhys
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ellis | Rhys |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 7,039 | 4,857 |
| 2010s | 7,098 | 5,915 |
| 2000s | 2,355 | 2,215 |
| 1990s | 1,796 | 696 |
| 1980s | 1,514 | 314 |
| 1970s | 1,664 | 86 |
| 1960s | 2,596 | 111 |
| 1950s | 3,970 | 105 |
| 1940s | 4,617 | 27 |
| 1930s | 4,482 | 0 |
| 1920s | 6,125 | 8 |
| 1910s | 4,433 | 0 |
| 1900s | 1,100 | 0 |
| 1890s | 886 | 0 |
| 1880s | 728 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ellis or Rhys more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Rhys today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 778 named Rhys.
What is the difference between Ellis and Rhys?
Ellis means Benevolent; from Elijah (Welsh origin), while Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Ellis or Rhys?
In US records, Ellis first appears in 1880 and Rhys in 1929, so Ellis has the longer recorded history.