What does Emrys mean?
Emrys is the Welsh form of Ambrose, from the Greek for “immortal.”
What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
Emrys vs Rhys
Which is more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Emrys today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 157 named Emrys.
| Emrys | Rhys | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Immortal | Ardor, enthusiasm |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | EM-ris | REES |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1997 | 1929 |
| Peak year | 2024 (185) | 2024 (952) |
| In 2025 | 157 | 778 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Emrys
Rhys
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Emrys | Rhys |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 741 | 4,857 |
| 2010s | 542 | 5,915 |
| 2000s | 22 | 2,215 |
| 1990s | 5 | 696 |
| 1980s | 0 | 314 |
| 1970s | 0 | 86 |
| 1960s | 0 | 111 |
| 1950s | 0 | 105 |
| 1940s | 0 | 27 |
| 1920s | 0 | 8 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Emrys or Rhys more popular?
Rhys is more popular than Emrys today: about 778 US babies were given the name Rhys in 2025, compared with 157 named Emrys.
What is the difference between Emrys and Rhys?
Emrys means Immortal (Welsh origin), while Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Emrys or Rhys?
In US records, Emrys first appears in 1997 and Rhys in 1929, so Rhys has the longer recorded history.