What does Gwen mean?
Gwen means “white,” “fair” or “blessed” in Welsh.
What does Reese mean?
From the Welsh Rhys, “ardour” or “enthusiasm.”
Gwen vs Reese
Which is more popular?
Reese is more popular than Gwen today: about 1,631 US babies were given the name Reese in 2025, compared with 384 named Gwen.
| Gwen | Reese | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | White, fair, blessed | Ardour, enthusiasm |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | GWEN | REESS |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1890 | 1924 |
| Peak year | 1959 (942) | 2012 (2,459) |
| In 2025 | 384 | 1,631 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Gwen
Reese
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Gwen | Reese |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 2,113 | 10,386 |
| 2010s | 2,817 | 20,182 |
| 2000s | 1,453 | 13,824 |
| 1990s | 512 | 372 |
| 1980s | 1,071 | 0 |
| 1970s | 2,753 | 0 |
| 1960s | 5,961 | 0 |
| 1950s | 6,780 | 5 |
| 1940s | 4,050 | 0 |
| 1930s | 2,808 | 0 |
| 1920s | 1,337 | 6 |
| 1910s | 716 | 0 |
| 1900s | 186 | 0 |
| 1890s | 60 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Gwen or Reese more popular?
Reese is more popular than Gwen today: about 1,631 US babies were given the name Reese in 2025, compared with 384 named Gwen.
What is the difference between Gwen and Reese?
Gwen means White, fair, blessed (Welsh origin), while Reese means Ardour, enthusiasm (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Gwen or Reese?
In US records, Gwen first appears in 1890 and Reese in 1924, so Gwen has the longer recorded history.