What does Reese mean?
From the Welsh Rhys, “ardour” or “enthusiasm.”
What does Elin mean?
Elin is the Welsh form of Helen, “light” or “torch.”
Reese vs Elin
Which is more popular?
Reese is more popular than Elin today: about 1,631 US babies were given the name Reese in 2025, compared with 53 named Elin.
| Reese | Elin | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Ardour, enthusiasm | Light |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | REESS | EL-in |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1924 | 1893 |
| Peak year | 2012 (2,459) | 2011 (428) |
| In 2025 | 1,631 | 53 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Reese
Elin
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Reese | Elin |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10,386 | 553 |
| 2010s | 20,182 | 3,032 |
| 2000s | 13,824 | 369 |
| 1990s | 372 | 143 |
| 1980s | 0 | 145 |
| 1970s | 0 | 111 |
| 1960s | 0 | 109 |
| 1950s | 5 | 138 |
| 1940s | 0 | 164 |
| 1930s | 0 | 77 |
| 1920s | 6 | 85 |
| 1910s | 0 | 87 |
| 1900s | 0 | 25 |
| 1890s | 0 | 14 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Reese or Elin more popular?
Reese is more popular than Elin today: about 1,631 US babies were given the name Reese in 2025, compared with 53 named Elin.
What is the difference between Reese and Elin?
Reese means Ardour, enthusiasm (Welsh origin), while Elin means Light (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Reese or Elin?
In US records, Reese first appears in 1924 and Elin in 1893, so Elin has the longer recorded history.