What does Owen mean?
Owen is a Welsh name, traditionally linked to “young warrior” or “well-born,” and connected to the Latin Eugene. It has been borne by Welsh princes and heroes.
What does Rhys mean?
Rhys means “ardour” or “enthusiasm” in Welsh.
Owen vs Rhys
Which is more popular?
Owen is more popular than Rhys today: about 7,190 US babies were given the name Owen in 2025, compared with 778 named Rhys.
| Owen | Rhys | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Young warrior, well-born | Ardor, enthusiasm |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | OH-en | REES |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1929 |
| Peak year | 2016 (10,305) | 2024 (952) |
| In 2025 | 7,190 | 778 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Owen
Rhys
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Owen | Rhys |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 48,832 | 4,857 |
| 2010s | 91,098 | 5,915 |
| 2000s | 61,878 | 2,215 |
| 1990s | 9,658 | 696 |
| 1980s | 4,050 | 314 |
| 1970s | 3,017 | 86 |
| 1960s | 2,916 | 111 |
| 1950s | 3,945 | 105 |
| 1940s | 3,922 | 27 |
| 1930s | 4,285 | 0 |
| 1920s | 5,873 | 8 |
| 1910s | 3,791 | 0 |
| 1900s | 860 | 0 |
| 1890s | 761 | 0 |
| 1880s | 758 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Owen or Rhys more popular?
Owen is more popular than Rhys today: about 7,190 US babies were given the name Owen in 2025, compared with 778 named Rhys.
What is the difference between Owen and Rhys?
Owen means Young warrior, well-born (Welsh origin), while Rhys means Ardor, enthusiasm (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Owen or Rhys?
In US records, Owen first appears in 1880 and Rhys in 1929, so Owen has the longer recorded history.